The government has returned to the Assembly, the right evaluates the municipal elections, and the presidential candidates are warming up.
Government
A sparring partner on the bench
During the latest reshuffle, Sebastien Lecornu, like many of his predecessors, aimed to bring personalities from civil society into the government. However, some of these new recruits struggled to differentiate between managing a country and running a business or an NGO. Consequently, two of these newcomers hesitated to attend the Current Affairs Questions at the National Assembly.
“Time wasted! Why not send the chief of staff?” questioned a minister. His advisor responded, “Decision-makers must be in the spotlight to take responsibility.” Perhaps because a message is only heard by the French when it is personified? The Assembly is a stage where form is just as crucial as content. Who would listen to the director reading “Journey to the End of the Night” by Luchini?
Municipal
Larcher preserves the common ground
On the right, after the second round of municipal elections, the truth comes out. “Nothing had been prepared. Neither Gabriel Attal nor Bruno Retailleau were concerned about the municipal elections. LR lists were everywhere against Renaissance lists. Gerard Larcher (President of the Senate) had to take charge, preventing bloody settling of scores between the two rounds,” recounted a centrist elected official who believes the common ground would not have been recovered. Before a high-intensity presidential campaign, the unity of the center and the right is a matter of survival.
Presidential
The right needs to settle down
The period ahead resembles a prelude to a combat. Indeed, according to an electoral negotiations expert, until the autumn, many political leaders will be claiming to run for president. A elected official imagines for the Department: “We will have statements like, ‘France is a great country.’ All the pseudo-candidates will present their book. Yaël Braun-Pivet will say that ‘the time of women has come,’ Bruno Le Maire will claim to have the best CV in the Republic because he speaks German. No one will be prevented from galloping. Then, at the edge of the pool, a glass of Spritz in hand, they will hear their spouses and bankers asking, ‘Is it really reasonable?’ And by the autumn, only two or three candidates will remain.” More than a primary, this elected official counts on the effects of a summer settling down.
Fuel
The government aims to stand firm
Fuel prices are rising, and consumer discontent is growing. Some majority representatives are concerned about a potential return of the Yellow Vests, especially as the National Rally, which has made energy prices one of its battlegrounds, is fueling anger. But faced with this volatile situation, a minister close to the issue remains calm.
“The government, with no potential presidential candidate, is not affected by electoral issues. There is no Retailleau to perform his tap dance routine, so we will hold firm. We are in crisis management, not political maneuvering.” Understand: “We will not open the checkbook to appease the voters.” Only certain professionals will receive assistance.
