“If we don’t want to block everything, we have to talk to each other”

A few steps from the deputies of the left who hug each other and applaud each other in the hemicycle, the members of the majority almost hug the walls of the Salle des Quatre Colonnes. If the troops try to look good in front of the cameras, they remain immersed in the blur. “It’s quite violent”, says a deputy. The snub is brutal: the Together! does not obtain an absolute majority, and suffers the blow.

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The majority votes on Wednesday June 22 in the morning to designate the new group leaders. Which figure will lead Horizons in the Assembly? Same question for the MoDem and Renaissance (ex-LREM) since Patrick Mignola and Christophe Castaner were both beaten.

At the start of this new term, Stéphane Mazard, Renaissance deputy for Aveyron, is divided: “Everything is a bit mixed up, that is to say that we are personally satisfied to be elected and then there is still a concern about the way our institution which is the National Assembly is going function.” Hence the importance for him to have a solid woman or man at the head of the group. Aurore Bergé, Jean-René Cazeneuve and Stella Dupont are candidates. “The task will be difficult because Christophe Castaner was a good captain who was unanimous within the group”says the deputy. “We will need someone who is unanimous, who brings together all the personalities and sensibilities, and who is above all able to speak with the other groups, since we know that the context obliges us.

For her part, Barbara Pompili recognizes a “difficult context”but asserts: “We’re going to have to build collective intelligence and we all have to get on with it.” The ex-minister is re-elected in the Somme. “If we don’t want to block everything, we have to talk to each othershe assures. Let’s talk together ! We all have to work together.”

“The majority, which is a relative majority, must already come to some agreement among themselves. And then afterwards, we will have to talk with the others.”

Barbara Pompili, Renaissance MP

at franceinfo

But should we talk to everyone? Especially with the National Rally, which now has a powerful group at the Palais-Bourbon? The subject divides. Some are against, like the deputy of Savoie Véronique Riotton: “Out of the question! National rally or rebellious France, we must not be fooled, we are on blocking systems, we are on vociferation systems. So it is a shame for the Republic.” In the pros, which do not close the door to Marine Le Pen’s party, we find Hadrien Ghomi, who is starting his first term. “All people of good will have to come together text by text. We try to put politics, but I don’t look at the political color of a deputy. What I look at is whether this deputy or whether this deputy is able and wishes to move the country forward.”

Already divisions and still many questions. The majority, who navigate in troubled waters, have lunch on a barge on Wednesday noon to unite the troops.