The Minister Delegate for the Elderly and Disabled, Fadila Khattabi, who is in an unfavourable position in Côte d’Or, announced her withdrawal on Monday, considering that it was “out of the question” that her constituency “fall into the hands” of the RN.
From the PS, the former Renaissance president of the Social Affairs Committee at the National Assembly came third in the first round of the legislative elections on Sunday, with 23.81% of the vote, in the 3rd constituency of Côte-d’Or. Fadila Khattabi was beaten by the LR-RN candidate Thierry Coudert, who came first with 35.44%, and by the New Popular Front (NFP) candidate, the socialist Pierre Pribetich (29.59%).
“I got involved in politics in 2002, against Jean-Marie Le Pen, and the basis of my commitment has not changed,” the minister wrote on her X account on Monday, specifying that she made a distinction between her “political adversaries” and the “enemies of the Republic.” “This is why, faithful to my values and with my head held high, I am withdrawing from these legislative elections to block the extreme right,” she added, calling for a vote for the NFP candidate.
“I know that this candidacy is not unanimous, but the time is too serious to divide us. We must act responsibly and ensure that we safeguard our national cohesion,” she continued. Two outgoing ministers and MPs – Sabrina Agresti-Roubache and Marie Guévenoux – also announced that they were withdrawing after coming third in their constituencies, respectively in Marseille and Essonne, clearly calling for a vote against the RN.