For Elisabeth Borne and her government, first questions to the Assembly under tension

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne answers questions from deputies in the National Assembly on July 12, 2022. BERTRAND GUAY / AFP Security, “Uber Files”, purchasing power and hospitals on the menu: the first questions to the government ( QAG) by Elisabeth Borne gave rise on Tuesday, July 12, in front of the Assembly, to a few surges of tension, in a stirring hemicycle. Deputies newly elected as new ministers appeared quite sure of themselves, during this hazing-like session – the words of each other being disturbed sometimes by the presidential majority, sometimes by the opposition. “We are not in a demonstration! “said the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet. Read also: Emmanuel Macron reacts to “Uber Files”; first questions to the government for Elisabeth Borne: relive the political day of July 12 At the head of the first opposition group, Marine Le Pen (National Rally, RN) launched the QAGs at 3 p.m., returning to the proposal of the Minister of l to expel “any foreigner” who “has committed serious acts”: “I welcome this step towards us”, first declared the far-right leader, before asking the government if it intended to enforce obligations to leave the territory. “I will not seek the votes of the National Rally,” replied the Prime Minister, while the far-right leader was chatting with her neighbor Sébastien Chenu. “There will always be something that will come between us, it’s called values,” added Elisabeth Borne, applauded by the majority. Ms. Le Pen sent him a sign of zero points in return. “They scream” The Renaissance deputy (ex-La République en Marche) Benjamin Haddad immediately shifted to security, under the “hello, hello” of the opposition who believe that the question was “telephoned” by the government. “What are the first two subjects addressed by the RN and the Macronie in questions to the government? Xenophobia and security (…). The deadly shallot race is on,” commented the “rebellious” Danièle Obono on Twitter. The “rebellious” deputy Danielle Simonnet (in the center), during questions to the government in the National Assembly, Tuesday July 12, 2022. BERTRAND GUAY / AFP In the process, her colleague from La France insoumise Danielle Simonnet brought the iron to the about the revelations of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and forty-two partner media, including Le Monde, on the past links between Emmanuel Macron and Uber: “Here is the state scandal” with “secret deals to Bercy”, denounced the elected LFI. Olivia Grégoire struggled to answer him. “They are screaming! “, she protested to the President of the Assembly. The then Minister of the Economy “did his job” and received Uber like Netflix or BackMarket, she judged, before assuring: “These players are at the heart of today’s economy. today. “The questions then followed one another on the bill devoted to purchasing power – “Give the money back to the French”, pleaded the elected LR Fabrice Brun. “If we add up all the requests you make, it’s 100 billion euros, the VAT would have to be doubled to finance your project”, exclaimed Gabriel Attal, Minister Delegate for Public Accounts, before continue: “You accused us of wanting to burn the cash register, but you want to break the bank! “Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers Some elected LRs ready to examine a “tax on superprofits” “Our health system is sick” The situation of the hospital was also discussed when it suffered a “haemorrhage of resignations”, according to the socialists. The new Minister of Health, François Braun, found himself on the grill several times. The emergency crisis will not prevent the French from finding “always a carer to take care of them” and “direct them to the best solution”, at the hospital or elsewhere, he said, questioned by several deputies. “Our health system is sick, our health system is suffering, we have to recognize that,” he said. The Minister of Health, François Braun, in the National Assembly, Tuesday July 12, 2022. BERTRAND GUAY / AFP Questioned by the deputy (PS) of Finistère Mélanie Thomin, in particular on the “insufficient” proposals of the “flash mission” made just before his appointment to the ministry, Mr. Braun admitted that these were “not solutions that will solve all the problems” and denied any desire to “close the emergency services [ou] prevent our fellow citizens from accessing it”. “It is totally false. Our fellow citizens will not find the door closed, they will always find a carer to take care of them and redirect them, ”assured this professional emergency doctor. Despite the tensions, “vital emergencies will always be ensured at any point in the territory”, insisted the minister again in response to the deputy (Horizons) of Calvados Jérémie Patrier-Leitus, who noted several cases of night closures in his department. “My mission is to allow each French person to be taken care of in an adequate way”, which “does not necessarily mean in an emergency service”, said Mr. Braun again. Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers End of the state of health emergency: what consequences for the hospital? As the Hemicycle gradually emptied, a new highlight came with the speech of Rachel Keke (LFI), the first elected chamber maid. “My comrades” who work in hotels, airports, “all are asking for a salary increase” and “this government does not seem to hear it”, she said, briefly raising her fist. “It’s not with bonuses and checks that you pay your rent,” assured the MP, greeted by a “standing ovation” from elected officials on the left. Olivier Dussopt, Minister for Labour, Full Employment and Integration, replied: “We are experiencing inflation that we have not experienced since 1985 and, faced with this inflation, the government is acting with a tariff shield, with aid for the most vulnerable households and the purchasing power package, which is proposed for your consideration by your Assembly, represents a commitment of 30 billion euros”. “The legislatures pass, your group does not change: you are in the incantation, we are in the action”, retorted Mr. Dussopt. Brief moment of agreement In turn, Jiovanny William, Martinican deputy of the Democratic and Republican Left group, questioned the minister responsible for overseas territories about Sargassum seaweed, during questions to the government, at the National Assembly. “By simply allocating derisory funds, you are not providing any solution adapted to the scale of the phenomenon”, he judged. Jean-François Carenco, minister responsible for overseas territories, answers questions to the government on Tuesday July 12, 2022. BERTRAND GUAY / AFP Jean-François Carenco replied that the government was “aware of the extent of this phenomenon and of its numerous impacts on biodiversity, on tourism, on the living environment, and especially on concerns about gas emissions [des sargasses] “. “The ministries concerned, in conjunction with the [agences régionales de santé] and the prefects, are looking into possible measures to be taken urgently, particularly in terms of informing pregnant women and providing protection”, declared Mr. Carenco, praising “the “Sargasse-II” plan, with a budget of 36 million euros allocated this year”. Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers Sargassum seaweed: in the West Indies, “we fear the worst” “But the subject is not finished, and we still have to work, that’s why at the request of Minister Darmanin I I will go to Martinique and Guadeloupe next week,” announced the Minister for Overseas Territories. The two-hour session had only one brief moment of harmony, thanks to an intervention by Boris Vallaud (Socialist Party) on Ukraine. This conflict has been going on for “five months” and “we can pay tribute” to the Ukrainian people, invited the Prime Minister, before all the deputies stood up and applauded. The World with AFP