Elisabeth Borne praised Tuesday in the Strasbourg Parliament the “vitality of European democracy”, launching the campaign of the majority, still looking for a head of list for the June elections against the far right, given favorite. The Prime Minister called for “drawing on the example” of Simone Veil, first president of the European Parliament, by inaugurating a building of the institution in her name.
“Let’s keep in mind Simone Veil’s struggles”
“At a time when some are overwhelming Europe out of principle, out of reflex, let us keep in mind the struggles of Simone Veil”, who knew how to “make unspeakable wounds the driving force behind her commitment to the service of peace and the unity of Europeans”, insisted Elisabeth Borne. The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola also praised the activist behind the abortion law, a woman who “believed in humanity and reconciliation”. Elisabeth Borne will then tour her European family. She will discuss in particular with Stéphane Séjourné, president of the Renew group (centrists), then with the French MEPs from this group.
Commissioned by Emmanuel Macron to promote the European record of the majority, it is gradually gaining strength. In Bordeaux, on October 6, she put forward “the only pro-European ballot”, that of her majority, against the “deconstructive fathers of Europe” of the far right. She then urged her Renaissance party to mobilize “right now” before praising, in Ireland, republican values which, in her eyes, remain “a fight” in Europe while populist and far-right movements are on the rise. in stern.
“Defend the balance sheet”
What fuel the rumor that she herself could be at the top of the list? “But who would then be Prime Minister?” do we evacuate to Matignon. The hypothesis comes from “malicious people who don’t like him” and want him to leave rue de Varenne, assures a majority executive, while a reshuffle could take place in the event of conviction at the end of November, by the Court of Justice of the Republic, of the Minister of Justice Eric Dupond-Moretti.
Nathalie Loiseau, former candidate from Emmanuel Macron’s camp for the 2019 Europeans, recalls that she was nominated in March. She “does not believe at all” in Elisabeth Borne at the top of the list, because “she wants to remain Prime Minister”. Several names are circulating to lead the majority list, including that of Stéphane Séjourné, who already heads Renaissance. “Stéphane wants (…) but he wants to guarantee the president political power” at Renew, says his entourage. On the other hand, the name of Elisabeth Borne “never emerged from the meetings with Emmanuel Macron” on this subject, according to the same source.
“Humanize Europe”
The names of European Commissioner Thierry Breton and Secretary of State for Europe Laurence Boone, present on Tuesday, are also cited. “We still need a fairly political profile, but one that is not too techno, and one that talks about what Europe is changing in our lives. We really need to be able to humanize Europe,” argues a minister, who would prefer that Elisabeth Borne stay at Matignon.
Besides the head of the list, promised for January, the campaign strategy is not completely decided. “Either we run a defensive campaign” and “we unite our base around Breton or Séjourné”, or the campaign is “offensive” and “we need a head of the list who agrees to carry the sword” against Jordan Bardella, explains a source within the executive. This campaign will especially be “the last” of Emmanuel Macron, notes another minister.
In the meantime, discussions have begun between majority partners, represented by ministers Franck Riester (Renaissance), Marc Fesneau (MoDem), and deputy Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons). A first contact took place between Stéphane Séjourné and the boss of the UDI (centrist) party Hervé Marseille, wishing to work towards a “major gathering”. According to an OpinionWay poll published Monday, the RN list would emerge as the winner in the European elections, nine points ahead of that of the majority (28% against 19%). For MEP Manon Aubry, expected to lead the list of La France insoumise, “the macronie is hiding, because she knows that she will suffer a brutal sanction vote”.