"I want the most dignified democratic debate possible, France really needs it", launched the Prime Minister to the deputies and senators, who were all invited to rue de Varenne, beyond the members of the majority as it is use.
In front of them, he especially welcomed the "respectful framework" in which the parliamentarians worked, according to a participant in this festive reception.
“Particularly in times of crisis, it is indeed not useless that the political leaders know how to speak to each other, with mutual respect, whatever the political affiliations”, insisted Mr. Castex, who was surrounded by the presidents of the Assembly Richard Ferrand (LREM) and Senate Gérard Larcher (LR).
"We have also been able to adapt to the circumstances (of the Covid crisis, editor's note) by setting up the parliamentary liaison committee which has made it possible to improve the quality of the exchanges", further boasted Mr. Castex.
For example, committees are to meet on Friday afternoon to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
Mr. Castex also praised the "courage" of elected officials, while several suffered verbal or physical violence, sometimes death threats, during this legislature.
"Although the taking on of parliamentarians is not new, crisis management has been marked by inadmissible acts of which a certain number of you have been victims and I would like once again to recall the unreserved condemnation of these acts by the government", hammered Mr. Castex from the salons of the Matignon hotel, where a tent had been erected for the occasion on the terrace facing the gardens.
© 2022 AFP