Édouard Philippe and his party in group therapy for the majority – France

More than 3,000 people were present, this Saturday, in the great hall of the Parc Floral de Vincennes to listen to the river speech of Edouard Philippe, whose party (20,000 members claimed) held its first Congress since its foundation in Le Havre, in October 2021.

Despite the challenge to the pension reform, the security situation and the difficulties in transport, “we have not given up on holding this first congress”, explained the former Prime Minister. But if the crowd was at the rendezvous, the program had been somewhat revised: exit the eloquence contest reserved for young people in the party and the subjects that were too light. Instead, a sort of unity therapy for a strained majority, in the presence of Elisabeth Borne who assured that she would not “give up on convincing”.

“Horizons is a member of the parliamentary majority, a full member of the majority”

And the party of the right wing of the majority will be there, assured Édouard Philippe. “Horizons is a member of the parliamentary majority, a full member of the majority” and “determined that this majority can govern and take the decisions that are necessary for our country”, he launched from the stage. central, casual dress, micro headband required. Message sent to “those who doubt and who chew their resentment, so that those who like to put disproportionate lenses on the slightest little gap or the slightest little difference” within the majority. A necessary precision after a few episodes of tension between Horizons and the presidential Renaissance party, in particular illustrated by the rejection of a bill on recidivism carried by the Philippine deputy Naïma Moutchou.

Bayrou assures of the “solidarity” of the MoDem

This majority “can work better”, nevertheless added Édouard Philippe. An observation shared by François Bayrou, who assured the “solidarity” of the MoDem by adding that “this ideal (had) been for the moment only unequally respected”, before slipping away to attend a match of rugby.

“If we divide, if we start this precious unity, it is the RN that will emerge strengthened, it is the Nupes that we will consolidate”, also warned the secretary general of Renaissance, Stéphane Séjourné. .

“Absolute need to organize the central block”

Édouard Philippe therefore pleaded the “absolute need to organize the central bloc”, including with “partners who do not want to be associated with the majority”, among Les Républicains who were ready to vote for the pension reform, but also among the “social democrats” who do not find themselves in the Nupes dominated by La France insoumise by Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Otherwise, warned the mayor of Le Havre, France risks finding itself in “total ungovernability” and “absolute conflictuality”.

The former Prime Minister has been pleading since the 2022 legislative elections, which deprived Emmanuel Macron of an absolute majority, for the need for a coalition. An option which is not, for the time being, favored by the President of the Republic and Elisabeth Borne, who intend to seek “project majorities” in the coming weeks.

The context therefore did not lend itself to major announcements. Édouard Philippe therefore spoke at length on the pension reform, which he supported while paying tribute to the “very great responsibility” of the unions, but also of the school and the international situation.

Béchu: “We are not a leftist party”

In addition to the meeting of the various party authorities, the day began with several workshops devoted to ecology, Europe, school and solidarity. “This is the first round table of the day, it is on ecology, and we are not a left-wing party”, rejoiced the Minister for Ecological Transition and Secretary General of Horizons, Christophe Béchu.