Alexandre Chauveau / Photo credits: LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
The executive suffered a major setback on Monday in the National Assembly with the adoption of this motion to reject the immigration law. To try to have the immigration bill adopted, the text will be referred to a Joint Commission. A choice which for the moment gives the advantage to the Republicans, who repeat it through the voice of Eric Ciotti: they will only vote in favor of the text toughened by the Senate.
“Our assembly sanctioned in form the unbearable contempt of the Minister of the Interior. Our assembly sanctioned, beyond, in substance, a contradictory text which consecrated the ‘at the same time political’, symbol of impotence and of inaction. This debate will continue on a very clear text, the one approved by the senators. It is this text that we invite you to support. It is the only one that we will support” declared the president of the Republicans in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Nicknamed “Judas” by his former comrades
Despite his desire to convince, the Minister of the Interior was therefore unable to count on the support of the Republicans, who voted in majority for the motion to reject. But behind the political disagreement displayed, it is indeed a conflict of people which motivated this sanction vote.
On the right, revenge is a dish best served cold. The first scar dates back to 2017, barely appointed minister, Gérald Darmanin came to Nice to support Eric Ciotti’s rival in the legislative elections. The deputy for Alpes-Maritimes, like Olivier Marleix, has a stubborn grudge. The two men do not forgive the former Republican for his transfer to macronie. Since then, he has been regularly nicknamed “Judas” by his former comrades.
An attitude considered provocative
More recently, the attitude of the Minister of the Interior during the Republicans’ niche on Thursday in the Assembly has left its mark. Gérald Darmanin then multiplies the barbs towards his former political family and ironically about their lack of unity. LR’s massive vote in favor of the rejection motion would be fatal to it a few days later.
Last Friday, on the move, still in Nice, Gérald Darmanin sat at the Bistrot du port, opposite Eric Ciotti’s office. His guest of the day: the mayor of the city Christian Estrosi, close enemy of the Republican boss. The attitude is still considered provocative and finally convinces Eric Ciotti to push his troops to vote for the environmentalists’ motion.