Is the Republic marching towards a split? The hypothesis of an upcoming 9th political group in the Assembly, composed of “walkers”, ex- “walkers” and also elected officials attached to ecology, resurfaced Friday, against a background of risk for LREM of lose the absolute majority.
According to Les Echos, 58 deputies are about to form this 9th group - a record - called "Ecology democracy solidarity", around Matthieu Orphelin (ex-LREM close to Nicolas Hulot), Aurélien Taché (LREM) and possibly Cédric Villani (still a member of the LREM group).
MP Martine Wonner, the only LREM elected to have voted against the government's deconfinement strategy, was excluded from the majority group on Wednesday, accelerating speculation around this new formation, in the midst of a health crisis. But this member of the left wing told AFP not to be at this stage.
296 members currently, absolute majority at 289 seats
After his exclusion, the LREM and related deputies, chaired by Gilles Le Gendre, now have 296 members, compared to 314 at the start of the legislature. The absolute majority is at 289 seats. Departures were regular, against the background of conflicts on the line or disagreement for the municipal authorities.
The initiative in gestation "will settle the political and individual bad management of the group" LREM, tackles a macronist deputy. The new group could have twenty members, non-registered, some LREM, Liberties and territories or even PS, according to Claire Pitollat, a chosen LREM elected representative, who however judges that "in full deconfinement, it does not (him) seem timely ”to launch it.
According to her, this initiative is about “bringing the diversity of the majority to life”, while others are in a less cooperative line with the executive. A cadre of the majority is already embracing a "group of odds and ends to try to exist, a group of orphans". He sees in it “finally a useful clarification of deputies who were not used to going beyond” right-left promoted by Emmanuel Macron.
And according to this source, "the absolute majority is a bit of a false subject because with the constant support of the Modem (and) the solid support of Agir, the majority as a whole is largely assured". "This is not a heavy blow for Emmanuel Macron," says this close to the Elysee, saying that the potential dissidents "do not appear in the frontal opposition".
"A very understandable emotion" says Le Gendre
In a message addressed to the "walkers" shortly after the publication of the article in Les Echos , Gilles Le Gendre mentions an "understandable emotion" created within the majority group.
Calling on "the greatest caution" in the absence of an "official announcement", he nevertheless judges that the initiative, if confirmed, "would constitute a double breach of confidence" towards the President of the Republic and the voters, according to this message. consulted by AFP.
"Ninth group or not, the government will always be able to count on a strong majority to conduct its policy," he adds, noting that "any attempt at division would hinder what the French expect today from their leaders".
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