the “clashes” did not wait for the light of the television sets to burst. It’s 7:15 p.m., Sunday, June 19. The macronists see the results of the second round of the legislative elections fall. The relative majority envisaged by the polls reveals much lower than expected ; a large forty deputies are missing to be able to vote on the texts. Gathered in audioconference, the spokespersons of La République en Marche (LRM) prepare the elements of language to be used in the media from 8 p.m. That of the government, Olivia Grégoire, urges her comrades to hammer out a positive message despite the rout. “You have to say: ‘It’s a disappointing victory but a victory all the same'”she says.
Fury of the deputy (LRM) of Yvelines, Aurore Bergé: “But we can’t say it’s a victory! » His colleague, Roland Lescure, and the Minister for Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, in turn oppose the ” positive attitude “ advocated by the Secretary of State. Taking refuge in denial brings nothing good. Before going to the France 2 set, Olivia Grégoire receives a phone call from Emmanuel Macron, who gives her some instructions. The low profile line is essential.
From the Elysée, the head of state is trying to define a strategy so as not to see his new five-year term sink to port. The Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, was invited. She discovers these political meetings where she has never set foot until now. The two allies, Edouard Philippe and François Bayrou, now indispensable with their Horizons and MoDem groups, are also present. Just like the triad of political policy experts from the right, adviser Thierry Solère and ministers Gérald Darmanin and Sébastien Lecornu. MEP Stéphane Séjourné, former adviser to Mr. Macron, completes the picture.
The meeting drags on. What message to convey in this unprecedented context? From Marine Le Pen to Jean-Luc Mélenchon, all the main opposition figures have already spoken. Elisabeth Borne, she seems immured in the silence of the Elysée. The head of government does not join Matignon until shortly before 10 p.m., to speak, half an hour later, her voice blank and her face closed. “Never has the National Assembly experienced such a configuration under the Ve Republic. This situation constitutes a risk for our country.”, she breathes, as distraught. She just promises to look for a “majority of action”.
You have 72.58% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.