This is a case that is likely to make a lot of noise. This Thursday, Mediapart revealed that the socialist deputy for Charente Jérôme Lambert – a time invested by Nupes and now a dissident candidate – occupied intermediate rent accommodation in Paris.
This apartment, from the Paris Habitat social park and located in the 18th arrondissement, is 95 m2 for the sum of 971 euros (excluding charges). The oldest deputy in France – he has been elected since 1997 – has lived there for nearly 20 years. However, according to Mediapart, similar accommodation in this district “would be around at least 2,300 euros per month”.
“No rule”, according to Jérôme Lambert
This revelation did not really destabilize Jérôme Lambert, also known to be the nephew of François Mitterrand. He defended himself by assuring that it was not about “an HLM” and that there was therefore “no rule. We can occupy them,” he said. “You know, the price of rents in Paris is still something. The remuneration of the deputies is important but not sufficient to find accommodation beyond this rent, except to reside in the Assembly or in the hotel”, explained the elected official to Mediapart, going even further: “ to be housed at that price in Paris, I think it’s already expensive”.
For its part, Paris Habitat explained to the information site that the case of the deputy had “escaped (his) vigilance”. According to the social landlord, the Parisian apartment was in fact attributed, at the time, to the companion of Jérôme Lambert. The elected socialist would have simply declared himself co-occupant without indicating his income.
Last week, the Nupes also withdrew his nomination for the 3rd district of Charente because of Jérôme Lambert’s opposition to marriage for all and to the PMA. However, the socialist has chosen to maintain his candidacy, placing himself as a dissenter.