"It turns out that the place I chose, I should probably have chosen another. The symbolism, I regret it", launched the Minister of National Education, during questions to the government at the Assembly.

The minister, who will be the guest of the 20 hours news of TF1, however affirmed that he would not have taken "different decisions" if he had "been elsewhere" and that it was not necessary "to get lost in the accessory".

Since Monday evening, the opposition has deplored "a disastrous image" after Mediapart's revelations about Mr. Blanquer's vacation just before the start of the school year.

Five days only after the massive mobilization of teachers, the case falls badly for the majority with the approach of the presidential election, especially since it has made education one of the main markers of its five-year term.

Yannick Jadot at a press conference in Paris on January 7, 2022 Thomas COEX AFP / Archives

Traveling, in the midst of a health crisis and when announcing a new controversial protocol in schools, to an island associated with partying and the jet-set, "is not the smartest thing in the world, when 'He has one of the biggest balance sheets in five years,' sighs a member of the government.

According to a source within the executive confirming information from Politico, the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Nicolas Revel, had also advised Mr. Blanquer against going to the Balearic Islands in view of the context.

Could the episode seal the fate of Mr. Blanquer, as a new strike looms on the horizon?

"It all depends on Thursday's demonstration, the mobilization that will give the + the +", replied Tuesday to AFP a source within the executive, also saying not to note "strong support from the government" to M Blanquer, yet close to Brigitte Macron.

Montebourg gives up

On the left, LFI called for the resignation, in unison with the environmental candidate Yannick Jadot who denounces the "contempt" and the "irresponsibility" of the minister, when Anne Hidalgo prefers to attack Emmanuel Macron, according to her "responsible for this situation".

On the right, we mock "a disastrous image at the very moment when parents and teachers are struggling with an inapplicable protocol", commented LR deputy Annie Genevard, while Marine Le Pen derided "the casualness" of the minister.

Yannick Jadot at a press conference in Paris on January 7, 2022 Thomas COEX AFP / Archives

On CNews, the defense of government spokesman Gabriel Attal was sober to say the least: "There is a rule that is set for the government when it comes to vacations: you have to be contactable at all times, at your task. I I have no reason to think that this was not the case with Mr. Blanquer".

Could the controversy be eclipsed by the withdrawal of the day, that of Arnaud Montebourg?

The cantor of the "remontada", dropped in the polls, must announce "in the coming hours" that he is leaving the race for the Elysée, according to his relatives, without rallying to one of his (ex -)competitors, after a campaign that never really took off.

The movement of the former socialist minister sent an email in which he warned members that "the decision has been made" and that its publication was imminent, said a relative to AFP.

Former Minister Arnaud Montebourg, during a press conference in Paris, October 21, 2021 STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP / Archives

"Twins"

The pataquès Blanquer comes inappropriately on the eve of the speech that Emmanuel Macron is to deliver on Wednesday before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Wanted at the Elysée as one of the highlights of the French six-monthly presidency of the EU, but also of the future campaign of the Head of State with a view to his re-election, the speech also gives the opportunity to his opponents to take a position on this divisive subject.

Ecologist Yannick Jadot, MEP since 2019, will be in the Strasbourg hemicycle.

Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon presented their own vision of the EU on Tuesday.

The first castigated "the Macron-Pécresse twins", "Europeanists" to whom she opposes her project "of a European alliance of nations".

Jean-Luc Mélenchon during a press conference at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg on January 18, 2022 PATRICK HERTZOG AFP

Valérie Pécresse was the first guest of a new political program on BFM-TV, presented by Jean-Jacques Bourdin, who is under investigation for sexual assault.

Candidate LR conditioned her participation on an "introductory remark" concerning this case, which was accepted by the channel, assured those around her.

© 2022 AFP