anger on the left after a response from the Minister of the Sea and Fisheries to the Assembly

“We are not talking about fish but about human beings,” reacted the leader of the LFI deputies in the National Assembly, Mathilde Panot.

Strong anger on the left benches in the National Assembly. At issue: the speech, Tuesday, November 26, of the Minister responsible for the Sea and Fisheries Fabrice Loher after a question on the deaths of migrants in the Channel. “We are not talking about fish, but about human beings who are drowning and Fortress Europe which is killing. It’s a shame!”denounced Mathilde Panot, the leader of the rebellious deputies, on X.

Communist MP Elsa Faucillon had asked a question, addressed to Michel Barnier, on the means put in place by the government to prevent the deaths of migrants in the Channel, numbering at least 71 since the start of the year. As the Prime Minister was only required to answer questions from group presidents, he let another minister answer the MP's question.

And rather than the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau, it was the Minister of Fisheries Fabrice Loher who took the microphone, provoking strong reactions on the left. The boss of the communist deputies André Chassaigne particularly became extremely angry.

Speaking to answer another question asked by the head of the environmentalist deputies Cyrielle Chatelain, Michel Barnier returned to the incident a few minutes later. “We thought about the title of the question we received. Sometimes it's quite summary. We thought it was a rescue at sea. That's why, ladies and gentlemen, it “is the minister in charge of the Sea, and therefore in charge, within the government, of rescue at sea”who responded, he explained.

“There’s no point getting angry, arguing about such serious issues”he added towards the ranks of the left.

“I am indeed Minister of the Sea AND Fisheries”justified Fabrice Loher on X, late in the afternoon. My administration's resources are engaged in rescue operations in the Channel. I repeat, on this subject, the State is moving forward on two fronts, the fight against criminal networks on land and unconditional rescue at sea.”