“The parties must rise to the moment”

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Saturday September 21, 2024while the composition of Michel Barnier’s government was about to be formalized, the executives of Renaissance in Normandy met near Caen (Calvados), in front of 200 activists. And this, in the presence, in particular, of Élisabeth Borne and Gabriel Attal, former Prime Ministers.

“Obviously, in the discussions between everyone, the subject of the government’s latest adjustments came up,” says Mathilde Lair de Gourmont, Renaissance representative in La Manche. But above all we talked about the future. »

“We need to open a new page”

The formation of this government, which gives pride of place to new faces, arrived after several days of consultations.

“Michel Barnier, like Bernard Cazeneuve, was a good profile, capable of establishing compromises,” comments Mathilde Lair de Gourmont. We are in a situation where citizens, who mobilized to block the National Rally, are waiting to see things move forward and for the parties to work intelligently in the general interest. »

Collectively, we cannot afford to stand still. Otherwise, next time… Parties must rise to the occasion. Voters have not demonstrated through their vote a desire for radical change.

However, certain signals raise her questions, such as the appointment of Bruno Retailleau to the Interior, with whom she notes she shares “few values ​​and ideas”, or the reframing of Michel Barnier towards his new Minister of the Economy, all apologizing to Marine Le Pen.

New situation

The legislative elections of June 30 and July 7 drew a new political panorama, more fragmented than ever, around three large blocs.

“For everyone, already thinking about the next presidential election would be a big mistake,” continues the Renaissance referent. The French would have a hard time seeing everyone already in the next phase. »

We talk to them a lot about immigration. I’m not saying that it’s not a subject, but we absolutely must provide answers on purchasing power, education, housing, health. These are the subjects that come up very often when we interview people.

The new government team leaves a large place for Renaissance, with thirteen members. The presidential party finds itself in a paradoxical situation. Defeated in the elections, but majority in the “coalition” in terms of number of ministers and seats in the National Assembly. No longer really in power, but still more than central in its proper conduct.

The question of the future

The departure of Stéphane Séjourné, his national referent, to the European Commission, opens the saga of his succession. And raises the question of the survival of Macronism after Emmanuel Macron. Élisabeth Borne is a candidate to take over the party. Gabriel Attal, already at the head of the group in the Assembly, thinks strongly about it. But beyond the question of incarnation, there remains that of the political line.

“We need to organize a congress, open a new page,” argues Mathilde Lair de Gourmont. The election results must question us. We must question ourselves about who we are and what we want to offer the French in the months and years to come. The activists are ready to return to the field. But before that, the messages must be clear. »

Renaissance claims 150 members in the department. A “stable” figure in recent years.

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