“We are not in government, we are not decision-makers, but we are the ones who can ring the bell when everyone is looking elsewhere (…) to remind those in power of the promises that have been made”, considered the far-right leader after a visit to the Mamoudzou hospital center which again suffered torrential rains last Friday, causing water infiltration.
Marine Le Pen notably considered that “we are paying for all these projects which have been promised and which are in pipes they say, but pipes which are obviously very long”, evoking, after having noted crowded emergencies, in particular the goal of a new hospital on the island.
By expressing her “concern” that “the situation (becomes) profoundly catastrophic” when “eyes will be turned towards other difficulties and where emotion will be less intense”, the boss of RN deputies in the National Assembly further suggested to “approach a certain number of NGOs, humanitarian foundations to meet the needs that there are, in particular of healthcare workers, nurses, midwives: this is the role that we are going to have “.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, Cyclone Chido left at least 39 dead and “completely destroyed” the precarious habitat where 100,000 people live. Very seriously affected, the Mayotte general hospital is now 76% operational (50% for the maternity ward).
To overcome its difficulties, the government deployed a field hospital, which has received 2,547 patients since December 24 and carried out around ten surgical interventions.
Marine Le Pen arrived in the archipelago on Sunday, where she has already met soldiers and firefighters on a base used by civil security near Dzaoudzi airport.
After visiting the Jacaranda hospital and dispensary, with her feet in the water and without electricity, she must tour the island on Monday to meet elected officials and residents in the north (Handréma, Hamjago), west (Sohoa, Sada) and the southwest (Boueni), places which still remain difficult to access.
The first metropolitan opposition leader to go to the department swept by Cyclone Chido, the three-time unsuccessful presidential candidate is on conquered ground: she obtained 59.1% of the votes in the second round in 2022, and the RN won for the first time in the July legislative elections in the second constituency.
Marine Le Pen had intended, upon her arrival, to put pressure on the government, judging that “without solving the problem of illegal immigration, nothing will be useful”, promising to “amend” the draft law in this sense. emergency which must be presented on Wednesday to the Council of Ministers.
Three ministers, Manuel Valls (Overseas), Bruno Retailleau (Interior) and Sébastien Lecornu (Armies) announced Sunday in Le Figaro “firm measures” against irregular immigration in the second “program” bill, planned in a few months.
The population of Mayotte is estimated by INSEE at 320,000 inhabitants, half of whom do not have French nationality, but there could be “100,000 to 200,000 more people, taking into account illegal immigration”, according to a close source. authorities.
Faced with this irregular immigration, François Bayrou had pleaded for a population census and raised the “question” of returning to land rights in Mayotte, already restricted in the archipelago.
But for her predecessor Elisabeth Borne, now Minister of National Education, repealing land rights in Mayotte is “not the right path” because “there are other measures” possible.
