Should the rest of the quinquennium be written with Les Républicains? While rumors of a reshuffle have been swelling for several weeks, the idea of an agreement with the right has been put on the table by Renaissance authorities. About thirty of its parliamentarians even met on Wednesday June 21 to examine a possible political reconfiguration. But without any progress emerging between party executives.
The scenario does not seem to convince the Minister of Transport, Clément Beaune, any more. “I don’t believe in it much,” he swept away on Sunday on the set of the “Grand Jury RTL-LCI Le Figaro”. For this supporter of the left wing of the majority, the right has “shown a permanent division” for a year, in particular on the pension reform. “They had told us that they would support without problem. They did not do it.” First considered an ally on this text, Eric Ciotti’s party had finally exposed its dissensions – some deputies having even voted for the cross-partisan censure motion against the government. “I don’t have the impression that they are much better today,” mocked Clément Beaune.
This does not prevent the relative majority from being able to count on the votes of the Republicans. “LR, like other parties, are voting with us for texts which have allowed us to move forward, such as on nuclear power”, acknowledged the former Minister Delegate for European Affairs. These “compromises” have thus made it possible to pass “30 texts in Parliament” since the start of the legislature. But these alliances of circumstances are not enough to build “a government of national unity”, he specified. “This is not the meaning of the discussions that we have with LR.” Especially since the two camps would not be able, according to him, to agree on “a common platform around five to six texts”. Same story on the right, where the boss of LR deputies, Olivier Marleix, recently closed the door to any “global agreement with this government”.
If the prospect of an alliance moves away again, Renaissance will however continue to reach out to the Republicans, assured Clément Beaune. “This is the story of our party. We are a central force, we must keep this ability to work with everyone, ”he defended. And this, even if LR is already brandishing the threat of a motion of censure on immigration or the budget. “It would be particularly inappropriate or irresponsible, warned the minister. But they have the right.
While Emmanuel Macron is going to Marseille on Monday for a three-day visit, Clément Beaune also took the opportunity to salute the first assessment of the “hundred days” – a period of “appeasement” decreed last April by the head of the State to find “new momentum”. “What has happened since (…) is significant”, welcomed the minister, taking as an example “the 10 billion euros of investments in the transportation”. Less than three weeks before the end of the “hundred days”, on July 14, everyone is therefore asserting their feats of arms while waiting for a possible reshuffle. “The government is working,” hammered Clément Beaune.
