The former RPR MP had refused, like the extreme majority of the right, to abolish an article of the Penal Code which punished any “indecent or unnatural act with an individual of the same sex as a minor”. Even when the age of sexual consent, 15 years, was exceeded.
Barely had the appointment of Michel Barnier as Prime Minister been announced this Thursday by the Élysée than the left was outraged. While the New Popular Front (NFP) came out on top in the second round of the legislative elections, the electoral coalition thought that Matignon would end up coming back to them. In addition to the usual criticisms of the «vol» of the French vote, several political and community leaders have highlighted a controversial vote by the Savoyard in…1981. A way of discrediting him from the outset.
Translation of an electoral promise by François Mitterrand, a bill, brought by the deputy and feminist Gisèle Halimi and supported by the Minister of Justice Robert Badinter, plans at the time to abolish the “indecent or unnatural acts with a minor of the same sex aged over fifteen”even when the threshold of sexual majority, set at 15 years, is crossed. Like most of the elected representatives of the RPR (Jacques Chirac, François Fillon or Philippe Séguin), Michel Barnier, then aged 30, voted, on December 20, 1981, against the establishment of the same sexual majority for all citizens. Whatever their orientations. The repeal of this difference, in a Lower House dominated by the left, having been adopted, it completely decriminalizes homosexual relations.
«Positions homophobes»
This event remains a strong marker of the left. The proof is in its reactions to the promotion of Michel Barnier, whom it accuses more or less of discrimination. “What a strange message to send to a country that is seeking ways to unite itself by naming someone who voted against the decriminalization of homosexuality.”mocked the leader of La France Insoumise Jean-Luc Mélenchon during his speech. A charge to which LFI deputies Louis Boyard, or Claire Lejeune who mocked the side “unifier” attached to the new prime minister while he would have “held homophobic positions”.
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A few moments after the transfer of power between Gabriel Attal and Michel Barnier, the Green senator Mélanie Vogel did not hold back on X, with a video of the two personalities to back her up: “A man who in 1981 he would have preferred to see in prison.” The situation is somewhat paradoxical, the parliamentarian confided to Public Senate, “while we are at a time in the country where we have just included abortion in the Constitution and we want to recognize this right as fundamental.” There was the same indignation within the Inter-LGBT association which expressed its «consternation». “A clearer sign than ever that the government will be hostile to our rights and existence”she accused.
Certainly, the appointment of Michel Barnier is rather a consensus in the central bloc. But some lieutenants have somewhat balked, off-camera, recalling an episode at the beginning of Macron’s second five-year term. Having just been re-elected, the head of state is already hesitating over the choice of his future prime minister. After reflection, he offers the position to Catherine Vautrin. Problem, the commitment of the former minister of Jacques Chirac against marriage for all in 2013 is unearthed. Indignation dominates in a part of the presidential camp, which does everything to prevent this appointment. An outcry that will get the better of Emmanuel Macron, who will repatriate himself to another hypothesis: Élisabeth Borne. Who will end up being replaced by… Gabriel Attal.
