INFO EUROPE 1 – “Another one like that and out!”: how Michel Barnier put Antoine Armand back in his place

In one outing, Antoine Armand attracted the wrath of Marine Le Pen and Michel Barnier. On the France Inter morning show this Tuesday morning, the new Minister of the Economy considered that the National Rally was not part of the “republican arc”. After the request for clarification made by the president of the RN group in the Assembly, the Prime Minister set the record straight. “He took a big slap in the face. Another one like that, and out!”, reports a witness to the scene.

The tenant of rue de Varennes, who had asked his team for “respect towards all political parties”, did not particularly appreciate the comments of his minister, who was forced to backtrack.

Phone call between Michel Barnier and Marine Le Pen

“In line with the political line set by the Prime Minister and as stated in his speech on taking office, Antoine Armand (…) will receive all the political forces represented in Parliament,” the Bercy tenant announced in a press release.

As revealed by The FigaroMichel Barnier called Marine Le Pen to remind her that “his line was that of respect and dialogue with all the political forces represented in Parliament”. A “brief, sober and factual” conversation, we are told at Matignon. A first direct contact between the Prime Minister and the president of the RN group in the Assembly, a few hours after the conference of presidents at the Palais Bourbon, which Michel Barnier attended.

The sequence illustrates the weight taken by Marine Le Pen at the Palais Bourbon, she who can bring down the government at any time by voting a motion of censure with the left. For Michel Barnier, it is finally a way to establish his authority, at the head of a heterogeneous government that he does not yet fully control.