Paris (AFP)

Former representative of drinking establishments, the LREM deputy Christophe Blanchet pointed out his conflict of interest on a measure of the bill devoted to mayors and withdrew from the voters on the subject, by registering on the new "register of deportations "of the Assembly.

The law on trust in political life of 2017 has provided for a public register of deportations in case of potential conflict of interest on a file for parliamentarians, including their private interests and the general interest. The National Assembly inscribed it only this year in its by-law, the measure being in force since October.

"Having been in the commercial business of a drinking establishment for twenty years and a trade union representative for the profession for more than ten years, and still being associated in a family-run business, (...) I thought it would be better to 'go consult the ethics officer of the Assembly,' said Mr Blanchet, deputy Calvados, in his explanation on the register, visible on the site of the institution.

The Member concluded from these exchanges that it was not advisable for him to take part in the votes on Article 13 of this bill (Commitment and Proximity) and to improve this article. by amendment ". The article in question provides that the mayor, for the public peace, may order the closing of public houses for a period not exceeding two months.

The specialized site Contexte had pointed out at the beginning of November the amendments of the deputy in committee, which aimed in particular to delete the article. Mr. Blanchet only began the process of deporting afterwards.

He said on the Assembly website: "This does not prevent me from taking part in the discussions on this article in session in order to share my field experience in the same way as any other parliamentarian who would intervene on texts that concern a subject that he masters ".

"First entry in the Register of deportations to the National Assembly: given his past responsibilities to the lobby bar, Christophe Blanchet is the first deputy to declare his obligation deport", greeted on Tuesday on Twitter the association Regards citizens, at the origin of the website deputies.fr.

The Rules of Procedure of the Assembly provide that "a Member who considers that he has a private interest to make shall make a written or oral declaration of such interest". And "when a deputy considers that he should not take part in some of the Assembly's work because of a conflict of interest (...) he informs the Bureau", the highest collegiate body of the Assembly, who keeps the register of deportations.

© 2019 AFP