The entry of the president of the Hauts-de-France region into the government could be a reason for censorship on the part of the RN. Explanations.
This is one of the points which once again caused the government’s announcement to be postponed. Appointed Prime Minister 10 days ago, François Bayrou has still not communicated the list of his ministers. It must be said that the equation is complex because, faced with a fragmented National Assembly without a majority, the Béarnais must try to come to terms with the various political forces present to avoid censorship.
Without taking figures from the New Popular Front or the National Rally, he must establish a government team which, unless supported by the majority of deputies, would not be censored. However, in politics, beyond the ideas defended, people alone can crystallize tensions. This is the case with Xavier Bertrand.
The government censored by the RN according to Bertrand’s position?
The current president of the Hauts-de-France region is expected to become a minister, 12 years after leaving the Ministry of Labor during the defeat of Nicolas Sarkozy. However, the 59-year-old elected LR is a historic political opponent of Marine Le Pen. There is total hatred between the two. The RN therefore waved the red rag of censorship if the former mayor of Saint-Quentin entered the Bayrou team.
At least, in an important position. Initially, Bertrand was tipped to be Prime Minister. Le Pen had announced the color: censorship if the former insurer set up in Matignon. He was ultimately not named. When his name was circulated again to enter the government in recent days, the Lepenist party procrastinated. “If Xavier Bertrand is Secretary of State for Tourism tomorrow, what do you want me to tell you?”, launched the RN deputy Sébastien Chenu on RTL.
But in recent hours, the name of the Northerner has come up for a much more important ministry: that of Justice. A leading responsibility which could make the RN change its mind. “The pressure for censorship will be difficult to contain,” those close to Marine Le Pen warned BFMTVif the fifty-year-old sets down his suitcases on Place Vendôme. Something to make François Bayrou think?
Between Bertrand and Le Pen, a 12-year-old rivalry
It must be said that the rivalry between Marine Le Pen and Xavier Bertrand is not new. It begins in 2012. At the time, during the legislative elections, the second called for blocking the RN then, in 2015, during the regional elections, he obtained the withdrawal of the PS in the second round to win the presidency of the Hauts-de-France region while the former boss of the FN had collected 40% of the votes in the first round, against 25% for her opponent. Added to this were harsh remarks from the elected LR towards the far-right candidate. “Good for nothing”, “liars”, “heat” he had used.
His appointment would therefore be seen as a “contempt” by the party with 10 million voters in 2024. Will François Bayrou take the risk of being censored by appointing Xavier Bertrand? The Northerner could ultimately be removed from the list depending on The Parisian. A new pledge given to the RN with the retention of Bruno Retailleau at the Interior?