In Vincennes, the Horizons congress turns to group therapy for the majority

“Horizons is and will remain a member of the majority” but this majority “could work better”: during the first congress of his party, Saturday in Vincennes, Edouard Philippe gave pledges of unity to Emmanuel Macron and Elisabeth Borne, pleading for greater “stability” of the “central block”.

More than 3,000 people were present in the large hall of the Parc Floral de Vincennes to listen to the river speech of the former Prime Minister, whose party (20,000 claimed members) held its first Congress since its founding in Le Havre in October 2021.

Despite the challenge to the pension reform, the security situation and the difficulties in transport, “we have not given up holding this first congress”, explained Mr. Philippe. But if the crowd was there, the program had been somewhat revised: exit the eloquence contest reserved for young people in the party and the subjects that were too light.

And the party of the right wing of the majority will be there, assured Édouard Philippe. “Horizons is a member of the parliamentary majority, a full member of the majority” and “determined that this majority can govern and take the decisions that are necessary for our country”, he launched from the scene. central, casual dress, micro headband required.

Message sent to “those who doubt and who chew their resentment, so that those who like to put disproportionate lenses on the slightest little gap or the slightest little difference” within the majority.

A necessary precision after a few episodes of tension between Horizons and the presidential Renaissance party, in particular illustrated by the rejection of a bill on recidivism carried by the Philippine deputy Naïma Moutchou.

This majority “can work better”, nevertheless added Édouard Philippe. An observation shared by François Bayrou, who assured the “solidarity” of the MoDem by adding that “this ideal (had) been for the moment only unequally respected”, before slipping away to attend a match of rugby.

– Risk of “total ungovernability” –

“If we divide, if we start this precious unity, it is the RN that will emerge strengthened, it is the Nupes that we will consolidate”, also warned the secretary general of Renaissance, Stéphane Séjourné. .

Edouard Philippe therefore pleaded the “absolute need to organize the central bloc”, including with “partners who do not want to be associated with the majority”, among Les Républicains who were ready to vote for the pension reform, but also among the “social democrats” who do not find themselves in the Nupes dominated by La France insoumise by Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Otherwise, warned the mayor of Le Havre, France risks finding itself in “total ungovernability” and “absolute conflict”.

The former Prime Minister has been pleading since the 2022 legislative elections, which deprived Emmanuel Macron of an absolute majority, for the need for a coalition.

An option which is not currently favored by Emmanuel Macron and Elisabeth Borne, who intend to seek “project majorities” in the coming weeks.

The context therefore did not lend itself to major announcements. Edouard Philippe therefore spoke at length on the pension reform, which he supported while paying tribute to the “very great responsibility” of the unions, but also of the school and the international situation.

In addition to the meeting of the various party authorities, the day began with several workshops devoted to ecology, Europe, school and solidarity.

“This is the first round table of the day, it is on ecology, and we are not a left-wing party”, rejoiced the Minister for Ecological Transition and Secretary General of Horizons, Christophe Béchu.