Prime Minister Michel Barnier expressed his concern on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, about the lack of solidarity within his government coalition, following the surprise election of the rebellious MP Aurélie Trouvé as president of the Economic Affairs Committee of the National Assembly. This setback highlights the growing tensions between the different blocs of the majority, in particular between the groups Ensemble pour la République (EPR, ex-Renaissance) and Droite républicaine (DR, ex-LR), both members of the government.
The position, vacant since the former chairman of the committee, Antoine Armand, was appointed Minister of the Economy, was coveted by several candidates. Stéphane Travert, EPR MP and former minister, seemed to be the favourite to succeed Armand, but the lack of support from LR MPs paved the way for victory for the candidate of La France insoumise (LFI).
Despite an EPR and LR majority within the commission, most LR deputies abstained during the final vote. One LR elected official even went so far as to vote for Aurélie Trouvé, allowing the LFI candidate to win with 27 votes against 25 for Stéphane Travert. This result took everyone by surprise, revealing fractures within the government coalition.
“The Prime Minister expressed his concern regarding the lack of solidarity among the various entities within the majority,” his entourage indicated. This unexpected election has exacerbated existing tensions between EPR, led by Gabriel Attal, and DR, headed by Laurent Wauquiez . The right wing had indeed claimed the chairmanship of one of the three commissions up for election, but ultimately obtained no position, contributing to a climate of discontent within the coalition.
Barnier, anxious to maintain unity, nevertheless welcomed the election of Bruno Fuchs (MoDem) to the presidency of the Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as that of Frédéric Valletoux (Horizons) to the Social Affairs Committee. But the lack of cohesion around the presidential candidate for the Economic Affairs Committee remains a hard blow for the Prime Minister, who will have to work to close the ranks of his coalition to face the political challenges to come.
This new episode risks increasing tensions between the right and the Macronist camp, while the expectations of each on the distribution of power within the institutions remain unsatisfied. The continuation of the negotiations within the majority promises to be delicate, with Michel Barnier in search of stability to pursue his government program.
