As they embark on an electoral battle until June 9, don’t go telling them that they are friends. They would take it badly, since it is precisely this type of relationship that their opponent in the European elections, Jordan Bardella, the head of the National Rally list, is looking for. Because whoever says friend says, according to him, cronyism and therefore everyone in the same bag. Exactly what the far-right candidate wants to denounce.
So let’s say that, if François-Xavier Bellamy (LR), Valérie Hayer (Renaissance), Raphaël Glucksmann (Socialist Party, Place publique), Marie Toussaint (EELV) and Manon Aubry (LFI) are not pals or friends, they are appreciate. All outgoing MEPs (a unique case in European elections) and of the same generation, they lived for five years in the corridors of the Parliament of Brussels and Strasbourg, often sitting until late at night in obscure committees, to struggle with texts of appalling technicality.
Their record is inversely proportional to that of our National Assembly, where, for almost two years, a climate of invective and sometimes verbal violence has been established. “It’s true that we like each other, summarizes Valérie Hayer, the Macronist candidate. They are all very nice people. » Several months ago, during a dinner in Brussels, while Renaissance, Emmanuel Macron’s party, still had no head of list, François-Xavier Bellamy pushed Valérie Hayer to apply: “You’re the one who has to go, go for it!” »
She wondered if there was a trap there, a trick or a three-cushion billiards move. “I asked myself questions, to understand that it was in fact totally disinterested”, she remembers. What François-Xavier Bellamy confirms: “In reality, my interest was for Pascal Canfin to be the majority candidate, because that opened up a space for me on the right. I encouraged her, because I found that she was perfectly legitimate to become head of the list. » Once she was nominated, Bellamy was obviously quick to congratulate her.
Funny political alliances
The two MEPs got to know each other at the start of their mandate in the committee on “Brexit adjustment reserve”. A horribly technical subject on the financial compensation for the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU. Each was the head of delegation of his party. Since then, they have remained on excellent terms. The head of the list LR, a former philosophy professor, with the appearance of a first communicant and pro-Manif pour tous positions, cultivates the reputation of a caring, respectful and sympathetic man. “It’s not a posture: he’s like that with everyone, MPs and cleaners alike,” testifies Raphaël Glucksmann.
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