A tense exchange between former Prime Ministers. Saturday, Dominique de Villepin and Élisabeth Borne were the guests of the show What an era! broadcast on France 2. On this occasion, both spoke in particular of the conflict in the Middle East, not failing to compare their point of view on the diplomatic role incumbent on France.
« Diplomacy is trying to provide answers », declared Dominique de Villepin in the preamble, deploring that the voice of France is no longer sufficiently heard. “ The message has often been confused by different positions over time “, he judged. The former Prime Minister notably mentioned the declarations of Emmanuel Macron in October 2023, who had proposed an international coalition to “ fight against Hamas », during a trip to Israel.
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“What’s your magic solution?” »
Far from agreeing with her, Élisabeth Borne assured that France had “ stated from the start » that Israel had “ the right to defend oneself in accordance with international law “. Dominique de Villepin then interrupted his interlocutor to address a specific point in her response. “ Stop there. Does[Israël] does so in compliance with international law ? “, he asked. “ When Joe Biden gives an ultimatum to Benjamin Netanyahu who does not respect it, what is your magic solution? », retorted Élisabeth Borne. “ It's not not not accepting », asserted the former Prime Minister of Jacques Chirac.
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The tone then quickly rose between the ex-tenants of Matignon. “ I don't accept the massacres in the Gaza Strip, but after that? », said the Calvados MP. “Can we just make statements through the spokesperson for the Quai d’Orsay? Forgive me Madame Borne, this is not my idea of diplomacy », launched Dominique de Villepin, judging that it was not necessary “ settle for nice words ».
