As a somewhat unexpected consequence, the States General of the Republicans (LR), which were held last weekend in Paris, reured the hearts of the majority of Emmanuel Macron. By clearly putting the bar on the right and excluding any hypothesis of an alliance with Emmanuel Macron, LR has reinforced those who think, within Renaissance, that Elisabeth Borne must stay at Matignon. “After a year, it presents a very correct, if not excellent, copy,” said Sacha Houlié, chairman of the law commission at the National embly, on France Info.
THE sounds of the reshuffle are in everyone’s ears, and the fate of Elisabeth Borne remains uncertain as the intentions of the Head of State remain unfathomable. But there are many Macronist deputies to campaign for its maintenance. They are found mainly within the left wing of the majority, but also in the soft underbelly of the group as well as among the historical macronists. “She can continue because she has shown her ability to find majorities. Changing Prime Minister would not necessarily allow it, ”said Renaissance MP for Maine-et-Loire Denis Méglia.
” Very appreciated “
“She is very popular with the group and has managed to build a relationship of trust. He is a person who has a sense of public service and the general interest, and who fulfills his position with a disinterestedness which honors him”, pleads for his part Astrid Panosyan, deputy of Paris and co-founder of En Marche in 2016. The reality principle also applies, as many do not identify who would do better than her if the “text-by-text” strategy continues.
Finally, the prospect of new 49.3 for the next budget, and the motions of censure that go hand in hand, also pleads for its maintenance. On 17 occasions in the past year, Elisabeth Borne has had to face one. If she has always escaped – sometimes narrowly (9 votes) as was the case after the triggering of 49.3 on pensions – she remains under this threat, and in particular of a motion tabled by the LR group which could be adopted . “No need to toast a new Prime Minister with the 49.3 and the motions that arrive,” said a deputy. In other words, soldier Borne must be used to the end.
For her part, Elisabeth Borne multiplies in the media to stay in office. After France 3 and “Le Figaro” last week, she will give an interview to Brut this Tuesday to discuss her “roadmap” for youth. That same day, she will participate, as often, in the meeting of the Renaissance group and then in that of the three groups of the majority. Anything but a coincidence in these times of reflection on his fate.
“Matignon is not a prefecture”
Elisabeth Borne also has her detractors, those who believe first of all that a right-wing Prime Minister is needed to bring back the LRs. Too techno, too stiff, lack of breath after the pension reform and sometimes chaotic functioning of the state machine… Critics are not lacking either against the tenant of Matignon. “As soon as there is interministerial, it is complicated. Elisabeth Borne is a prefect, but Matignon is not a prefecture”, attacks a member of the government.
But in addition to being improbable, the relevance of an agreement with LR is far from seducing the Renaissance deputies: the divisions of the right-wing party during the pension reform, the vote by 19 LR deputies of the motion of censure in March left traces and do not make the Republicans a reliable partner in the eyes of the Renaissance deputies.
“A Prime Minister close to LR will not bring us enough deputies from this party, and there could even be more Renaissance deputies on the way out”, deciphers a parliamentarian from the majority. The desire to preserve the balance of future text on immigration and not to give in LR’s one-upmanship on this subject does not plead for an agreement either. On Wednesday, Renaissance organizes a meeting between the main executives of the party to discuss the advisability of an alliance with LR. But his perspective is weak.