A year and a half after creating Horizons, Édouard Philippe gathered his party in congress on Saturday March 25 in Paris. The former Prime Minister reiterated his support for Emmanuel Macron and pension reform. The mayor of Le Havre appeared alongside the other leaders of the presidential majority. A family photo intended to overcome the internal divisions that have erupted in recent weeks between Horizons and the party of the President of the Republic.
The floral park in the Bois de Vincennes as a backdrop, smiles and sweet words between the leaders of the presidential camp… Saturday March 25, Horizons political party held its congress in an atmosphere that was intended to be peaceful. But each in turn, the leaders of the allied parties called the troops to order, while debates on pension reform rock the majority: unity or defeat.
Stéphane Séjourné, secretary general of Renaissance (ex-En Marche and ex-La République en Marche), was categorical: ” If we divide, it is the RN which will emerge strengthened, it is the Nupes which will be consolidated. ” Same warning from the Prime Minister and Majority Leader, Élisabeth Borne: ” We cannot afford the return of divisions which would be synonymous with blockage. »
I know the moment of tension and political crisis that we are living through. But in this context of considerable stakes, speaking clearly and campaigning remain essential. Happy to have discussed with our members and to share my priorities for France during the #HorizonsCongress. pic.twitter.com/KR0lWBpONa
— Edouard Philippe (@EPhilippe_LH) March 25, 2023
In the National Assembly, the two partners of the majority did not make gifts: a Horizons bill on minimum sentences was rejected when, in the other direction, half a dozen Horizons deputies hesitated to vote on pension reform. Two others wanted to vote against it outright. Speaking from the podium, Edouard Philippe cleared and reassured:
” I say this as clearly as possible, so that those who like to put disproportionate lenses on the slightest discrepancy or the slightest difference have no doubt: we are members of the majority and Horizons is and will remain a member of the majority. »
All call for a new method, yet another, to improve the life of the group. Elisabeth Borne will in any case need Édouard Philippe to widen her majority on the right, the almost impossible mission entrusted to her by Emmanuel Macron.