Will Jean-Michel Blanquer’s (short) vacation in Ibiza be fatal to him like the lobster was to François de Rugy or the interview in a polo shirt in a vacation home to Jean-François Mattéi, the summer of the heat wave? It is too early to say, but it must be recognized that this revelation from the Mediapart site falls badly for an already weakened Minister of Education. Subjected to the rolling fire of questions…
Will Jean-Michel Blanquer’s (short) vacation in Ibiza be fatal to him like the lobster was to François de Rugy or the interview in a polo shirt in a vacation home to Jean-François Mattéi, the summer of the heat wave? It is too early to say, but it must be recognized that this revelation from the Mediapart site comes at a bad time for an already weakened Minister of Education. Subjected to the rolling fire of topical questions, Blanquer has also “regretted the symbolism” conveyed by this stay on the island of partygoers and billionaires.
Block behind him
Until proven otherwise, the Minister of Education has committed no fault: he has not used state resources for private purposes, he has not violated the rule that a member of the government must not stray more than two hours from Paris. This is what his colleagues have also recalled, summoned in high places to unite around him.
There is indeed no question for Emmanuel Macron of sacrificing, three months before the presidential election, this minister who has broken a longevity record on rue de Bellechasse, who has established himself as the boss of this complicated ministry, and who has maintained against the winds and tides schools open since the first confinement. But the president, who is monitoring the situation in schools like milk on fire, as a new strike looms on Thursday, would have done well without this new twist.
In reality, it is indeed a communication error committed by Jean-Michel Blanquer, victim of an unfortunate telescoping.
Author of an illegible health protocol (but recommended by the High Authority for Health), he was disowned on January 10 by Jean Castex who announced a simplified protocol live on television. Target of a widely followed strike on January 13, he had to receive the unions at his ministry under the leadership of the Prime Minister who came for the occasion. He had then recognized “errors”.
Communication error
In reality, it is indeed a communication error committed by Jean-Michel Blanquer, victim of an unfortunate telescoping. Had he announced his health protocol on January 3 from a modest French seaside resort, he would not have been blamed for it. If this protocol had been perfect, that it was announced from Ibiza would hardly have been noticed.
The question is above all to know if the minister was not somewhat distracted while preparing this protocol, an exercise which bores him prodigiously. The government invokes telework, to which it has also invited all French people who can. But shouldn’t a minister, at a sensitive moment, be hard at work in Paris, in his ministry? The method of communication is also surprising: a “Face to the readers” of the “Parisian” by videoconference. Everyone now knows that nothing beats a good “face-to-face” dialogue.
We bet that Jean-Michel Blanquer will be a target of choice this Thursday in the processions of demonstrators. The question is whether the controversy will take. It is unlikely as long as no new revelation arises. Especially if the health situation eases by the end of the month, as Emmanuel Macron hopes.