France: the Nicolas Hulot affair sows trouble in the campaign of environmentalists

Matthieu Orphelin, deputy for Maine-et-Loire, here on June 7, 2017 in Angers (Illustrative image).

JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD / AFP

Text by: Aurélien Devernoix

1 min

A few days after the revelation of new accusations of sexual assault against the former minister, Nicolas Hulot, one of his relatives, Matthieu Orphelin, was sidelined from the campaign of the environmental candidate for the presidential election.

He was indeed Yannick Jadot's spokesperson, but several versions clash to explain this decision.

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Officially, it was about 

a

 temporary "

withdrawal

" to allow Matthieu Orphelin to manage " 

serenely

 " the questions which could be put to him on his knowledge of the

facts reproached to Nicolas Hulot

.

Yannick Jadot's campaign team is indeed exemplary on the subject of violence against women ... but also on their public condemnation.

But a supportive tweet from Matthieu Orphelin to Nicolas Hulot in 2018 during the first accusations against the former minister made the Greens cringe.

A ban for Matthieu Orphelin

Misunderstanding on the part of the spokesperson, who has multiplied this week the statements condemning the facts alleged against his former mentor.

And Matthieu Orphelin to put forward another explanation: it is strategic dissensions within the campaign which would explain his banishment.

" 

Not at all

 ", answer the relatives of Yannick Jadot, who underline the unfailing support displayed until this weekend by Matthieu Orphelin.

But the withdrawal therefore turned into a crashing departure.

Evil for good, believes Sandrine Rousseau.

The president of the political council of Yannick Jadot welcomes a " 

very strong gesture

 " supporting the ethical values ​​carried by the environmental candidacy.

I welcome the departure of Matthieu Orphelin.

This is the first time in an election campaign that gender-based and sexual violence has been taken so seriously. @ Yjadot

- Sandrine Rousseau (@sandrousseau) November 28, 2021

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