The office of the National Assembly decided on Wednesday to take legal action in the case ofAurore Bergé, former Minister of Familya appris franceinfo. She is accused by left-wing deputies of “false testimony” before a commission of inquiry for having denied any link with a lobbyist for private nurseries. This affair was revealed by Victor Castanet, in his investigative book “The Ogres”in which the journalist evokes a “non-aggression pact” concluded between the former Minister of Family and Elsa Hervy, general delegate of the French Federation of nursery companies. France Bleu explains what you need to know about this affair.
What is Aurore Bergé accused of?
Aurore Bergé is accused of lying under oath before a parliamentary commission of inquiry on the “economic model of crèches”, on April 30, while she was still Minister of Families. During her hearing, she claimed to have no “personal, intimate or friendly connection, or acquaintances” with Elsa Hervy, general delegate of the French Federation of crèche companies. An assertion refuted by journalist Victor Castanet, author of the investigative book “Les Ogres”, published on September 18, 2024, on dysfunctions in private crèches and mentioning the existence of a pact between the former minister and the private nursery lobby.
On October 3, the journalist revealed documents proving “the agreement” between the two women. In an email, Aurore Bergé describes the lobbyist as “girlfriend“who will be”very helpful for me“. These revelations led several left-wing deputies to accuse Aurore Bergé of “false testimony” and to call for legal proceedings.
What did the National Assembly office decide?
On September 20, based on the revelations in Victor Castanet’s book, environmentalist and rebellious deputies requested the National Assembly to launch a procedure for “perjury” against Aurore Bergé. This Wednesday, October 9, the office of the National Assembly, an executive body dominated by the left, decided to take legal action and demand “the initiation of proceedings” criminal proceedings against the ex-minister, franceinfo learned. This request was validated by 10 votes “for” and nine votes “against”.
Welcoming this decision, Mathile Panot, head of the rebellious deputies, wrote on X: “Aurore Bergé will have to be held accountable for lying to the national representation. We don’t make friends with lobbies who mistreat children when we are Minister in charge of early childhood“. The ex-minister must now “be able to defend themselves against these accusations in court rather than on TV sets“, commented for his part the environmentalist deputy Emmanuel Duplessy.
How does Aurore Bergé defend herself?
In the wake of the decision of the office of the National Assembly, Aurore Bergé, who is now a deputy Together for the Republic in Yvelines, criticized a “unfounded request against (him)“. “The NFP – the majority in the office of the National Assembly – has unsurprisingly decided once again to submit to LFI. The left continues its political and democratic shipwreck. Next“, she added on X.
On October 1, the former minister announced that he had filed a “defamation complaint”, after accusations of his alleged links with the private nursery lobby in the investigative book “Les Ogres”. “I changed the law so that large private groups are better controlled“, she emphasized. “I was the first Minister of Families to invite all the prefects, asking them to be extremely firm if there was the slightest risk regarding safety issues for our children. The rest is rumor and defamation“, defended the MP.
What does Victor Castanet denounce in his investigative book “Les Ogres”?
In his book “The Ogres”investigative journalist Victor Castanet describes the “voracity” of certain groups of private crèches, in particular that of the People & Baby group, accused of having falsified the number of hours babies were present to receive money from the family allowance fund. Victor Castanet denounces the emergence of a “low cost” model of crèches, with the involvement of local authorities and the State.
He mentions a race to fill, cases of mistreatment, burn-out among professionals or even non-compliance with the supervision rate. Victor Castanet points to a “continued deterioration in the quality of child care“for ever more profit. He also criticizes”the responsibility of town halls, communities and ministries in this situation“.
After these revelations, the Senate heard Victor Castanet and announced at the beginning of October the launch of an information mission on “control tools“of the early childhood sector. A report must be published”before the end of the year“.
