documents demonstrate the “understanding” between Aurore Bergé and the French Federation of nursery companies

Guest of franceinfo, the journalist Victor Castanet, who accuses the ex-minister of having notably prevented the holding of a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the dysfunctions of private nurseries, presented documents which, according to him, demonstrate that Aurore Bergé wanted to “smother the fire”.

“I have a large number of both recordings and documents. I decided to make it public“: guest of franceinfo, Thursday October 3, Victor Castanet, author of the book The Ogres confirms, supporting documents, “the agreement“between Aurore Bergé, Ensemble pour la République MP, and Elsa Hervy, general delegate of the French Federation of Daycare Companies, for “smother the fire and spare each other” on private daycare centers.

Victor Castanet criticizes the minister for trying to prevent the holding of a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the dysfunctions of private nurseries. Aurore Bergé wanted “avoid a scandal“, he declares. “I have a large number of both recordings and documents. I decided to make it public”he indicated into Jérôme Chapuis’ microphone.

In his investigation published by Flammarion on September 18, the investigative journalist describes the “voracity” of certain groups of private crèches, but also reports an agreement which would have been concluded between the former Minister of Families (July 2023-January 2024) and the general delegate of the French Federation of crèche companies (FFEC) Elsa Hervy.

The investigative journalist provided some of these documents to franceinfo, such as these WhatsApp exchanges between the office of the former Minister of Solidarity and Families and Elsa Hervy, general delegate of the French Federation of nursery companies.

Aurore Bergé, member of Ensemble for the Republic of Yvelines, former minister responsible for Equality between women and men, announced on franceinfo, having filed “defamation complaint” Monday, after the revelations of Victor Castanet in his book The Ogres who accuses the minister of having prevented the holding of a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the dysfunctions of private daycare centers. “I changed the law so that large groups are controlled“, underlines the former minister, “the rest is rumor and defamation.” I didn’t lie!“, assured Aurore Bergé.

Aurore Bergé swore that she had no contact with the private nursery lobby during her hearing before deputies in April 2024. “In no case did I lie in a commission of inquiry, in no case did I perjure myself,” assures the former minister, who denies “categorically these allegations are based on the statements of political adversaries”.

Aurore Bergé talks about relationships “professional” and no “friendly” with the representative of the private nursery lobby, Elsa Hervy, general delegate of the French Federation of Nursery Companies (FFEC). “Because when you are a minister, your job is to discuss with those who have an opinion, a position. That does not mean that you espouse their position”she emphasizes.

Elsa Hervy, the representative of private nurseries, indicated on September 21 that she had been able to “exchange directly“with Aurore Bergé,”as the minister did with other actors“, but she denied having spent any “pact“.