INTERVIEW. The centrist senator regrets having spoken of a “gypsy camp”, but accuses the rebels of taking to the streets against the institutions.
Interview by Jérôme Cordelier
© XOSE BOUZAS / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP
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Ie “Tonton flingueur” Hervé Marseille has struck again. Invited to the microphone of Christophe Barbier on Radio J, this seasoned senator, boss of the centrist group at the Luxembourg Palace and of the UDI, shocked some ears by accusing the LFI deputies of having transformed the National Assembly hemicycle into a “gypsy camp”. An unfortunate formula released live that this man who readily practices humor regretted in the hours that followed. This does not remove anything from the bottom of the problem of democratic functioning, real, that the elected official wanted to point out, sincerely dismayed, like many, by the political obstruction practiced by the Insoumis. Joined by PointHervé Marseille explains.
Point : By accusing the elected representatives of Nupes, and particularly those of LFI, of having transformed the National Assembly into a “camp of gypsies”, have you gone too far?
Herve Marseille: In expression, certainly. I must have been reckless, verbally clumsy. Of course, I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I regret those words.
If it was Madame Le Pen who acted like this, what would we say?
Why did you use this formula?
La France insoumise created a Zadist atmosphere in the Assembly. That is the subject. These people give themselves all the rights. They applaud Adrien Quatennens (back in the Assembly and booed, which caused a suspension of the session, Ed) and boo those who do not agree with them. Democracy, they are the ones who set the rules, even though they do not practice the election, as we saw when Manuel Bompard was propelled to the head of their party. They have a guru, Mr. Mélenchon, who decides, and everyone must follow. They degrade the Republic by playing the street against the institutions. See this Mr. Boyard, for example, who plays the blasters, going this weekend to the universities in Rennes to push the students to block them. When one is elected by the Republic, one has the right to be verbally violent, to oppose in a virulent way, but on condition that this takes place within the parliamentary precincts. We do not push processions of demonstrators to rise up against the institutions of the Republic.READ ALSO Louis Boyard, head to clash
We feel a hint of bitterness in the experienced parliamentarian that you are…
If it was Madame Le Pen who acted like this, what would we say? Everyone would cry out loud accusing him of the putsch. We are in an extremely dangerous spiral. Playing with the angry feelings of the crowd, you never know where it leads.
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