In the Borne government, right-wing moves that speak volumes – The HuffPost

POOL New via ReutersDamien Abad, here in April 2020 at the National Assembly, is appointed Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and Disabled PeoplePOLITICS – Who says new government says new taken for Macronie. And beyond the surprise Pap Ndiaye at the National Education, looked on with benevolence by the left, the team concocted by Emmanuel Macron and Elisabeth Borne this Friday, May 20 also has some right-wing recruits, one of whom is particularly cringe. at Les Républicains: Damien Abad. The one who held the strategic position of president of the LR group in the National Assembly a few hours ago was appointed Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and People with Disabilities. “Overcoming divisions to change the lives of millions of French people: this is the meaning of my commitment and I will devote all my energy to it”, explained the deputy for Ain on Twitter, “on leave” from the right-wing party. since Thursday. On the same social network, his former political family has multiplied attacks in “treason”, notably via a video showing Damien Abad criticizing the rallying of ex-LR Éric Woerth to Emmanuel Macron in the month … of February. Spikes that testify to the discomfort caused by this defection within the right-wing party. Exclusively, @damienabad reacts to his own betrayal: “I regret that infidelity is added to the inelegance of this departure. It is political and electoral opportunism. »pic.twitter.com/S3sFzViwG2— the Republicans #PourVousDéfendre (@lesRepublicains) May 20, 2022Because beyond the cases of Abad, Woerth or Muselier, the risk is great for the party of Christian Jacob to see part of the LR troops join Macronia. “I hope that this government will win, and will succeed”, announced this Friday the mayor LR of La Baule Franck Louvrier, calling on his party to “learn the lessons” in view of his score of “4.78% at the ‘presidential election”. An exit which comes as several LR deputies, including Robin Reda and Constance Le Grip, are already leaving for the legislative elections under the colors of the presidential majority. Signals and political balance The appointment of Damien Abad therefore sounds like a signal sent by the executive to the “Macron-compatible” right, in the wake of the call launched by Nicolas Sarkozy to seize the hand extended by the President of the Republic. Especially since the deputy inherits a real ministry, and not the functions of deputy minister or secretary of state, much less prestigious, and that this appointment is accompanied by that of Catherine Colonna at the Quai d’Orsay. A career diplomat, the person concerned is also known to have been spokesperson for President Jacques Chirac then Minister Delegate under Dominique de Villepin. A way, there too, for Macronie, to send signals to a whole fringe of Republicans who no longer recognize themselves in a party which tends to lean more and more to the right, even to take up the words of the far right. Another recruit from the right, Christophe Béchu. Unlike Damien Abad and Catherine Colonna, the ex-LR mayor of Angers already had a foothold in the macronist galaxy, since he is secretary general of Horizons, the party of Édouard Philippe. His appointment is thus to be read in the light of the political balance necessary for any formation of government, especially since the Angevin inherits the local authorities, a theme dear to the philippist formation. Christophe Béchu had also launched in 2019 “The Republic of Mayors”. A network of pro-Macron elected officials precisely intended to provide territorial anchorage to a Macronist party often considered above ground. A dimension that he should embody and deepen within the new government. “There is no greater honor than to serve your country, its territories and its people,” he reacted after his appointment. See also on The HuffPost: Mélenchon castigates the new government but spares Ndiaye