Through the voice of Véronique Louwagie, the LR deputies therefore “solemnly” asked Eric Woerth on Wednesday morning to “resign”, in the name of “the rights of the opposition” and a “spirit of democratic balance”.
The leader of the Socialist deputies Valérie Rabault did the same, claiming “exemplarity” and stressing that the commission “can be convened at any time” in the remaining four months of the legislature.
“Assume your choice”, added Michel Zumkeller (UDI), followed by Charles de Courson (Freedoms and territories) who pleaded for a “clarification”. Eric Coquerel (LFI) even indicated that he would stand as a candidate in the event of the president’s resignation.
“I will not quit”
But the majority united behind his new recruit. The rules of the Assembly stipulate that the chairman of the committee must belong to the opposition at the time of his election but not necessarily beyond, argued the budget rapporteur Laurent Saint-Martin (LREM). And, the Finance Committee “deserves better than the import of a political and symbolic debate”.
Impavid, Eric Woerth retorted: “I will not resign, that is how it is”. “I do not support Emmanuel Macron’s first term, I said I was going to support Emmanuel Macron’s second term,” he added, immediately provoking boos. The opposition deputies then left the room, leaving the meeting to continue in the presence of the majority around various hearings.