Heard by the parliamentary commission of inquiry, the Secretary of State for Associative Life claims not to have taken part in the selection of subsidized associations.
By Guillaume Mercier
© Xose Bouzas/Hans Lucas via AFP
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Ihe hearing lasted three hours and at its end, the rapporteur of the commission of inquiry into the Marianne fund, Jean-François Husson, considered that questions “remain[aient] in abeyance”. A feeling shared by the chairman of the commission, Claude Raynal. Throughout the hearing, the two senators sought to obtain from Marlène Schiappa answers to questions surrounding the allocation of state subsidies to associations presenting projects defending secular republican values.
The Secretary of State in charge of Associative Life was questioned mainly about the two largest subsidies, that – of 355,000 euros – allocated to the Union of Physical Education and Military Preparation Societies (USEPPM), and that – of €330,000 – awarded to Rebuilding the Commons. In either case, Marlène Schiappa explained to the commission that she had not taken part in the selection process for the subsidized associations.
The senators, for their part, pointed out inconsistencies, on this point, in the explanations given by the member of the government. For them, it seems very surprising that the Minister was never informed by her office of the evolution of the selection process. To this, Marlène Schiappa replies that she works “in symbiosis” with her chief of staff, in whom she places all her trust.
To assume their responsibilities
Faced with contradictions, particularly in chronological terms, Marlène Schiappa also stated, on several occasions, that she did not understand the questions put to her or did not remember events to which reference was made, in particular the fact that members of his cabinet received Mohamed Sifaoui, the president of the USEPPM. She assured the commission that she had no personal relationship with Mohamed Sifaoui and that they had never seen each other in a setting other than strictly professional.
Claude Raynal also wished to obtain, from Marlène Schiappa, explanations as to the fact that there were no reports from the selection committee, but only a list of associations with an amount, which, according to the senator, could have been changed after the advice was given. On this point, Marlène Schiappa did not provide an explanation, but said she hoped that the work of the parliamentary commission of inquiry would clarify the rules for the use of selection committees.
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Assuring that she had never asked for Mohamed Sifaoui to be prioritized and that she had no reason to do so, the minister said several times that she intended to assume her responsibilities. Recalling her longstanding attachment to the fight against separatism and terrorism, Marlène Schiappa affirmed that she had not taken any decision for personal reasons and assured that she would implement all the recommendations that could be made on the question of subsidies.