The opposition deputies loudly left the Finance Committee in the Assembly on Wednesday. They were facing its president, Éric Woerth, who had moved from LR to the macronist camp and who once again refused to resign from his post. The former Sarkozy minister announced to Le Parisien a week ago that he would support Emmanuel Macron rather than Valérie Pécresse for the presidential election, and immediately left the LR group to become related to the LREM group.
However, the presidency of the Finance Committee falls by right to an opposition deputy. Through the voice of Véronique Louwagie, the LR deputies “solemnly” asked Éric Woerth this Wednesday morning to “resign”, in the name of “the rights of the opposition” and a “spirit of democratic balance”. The leader of the Socialist deputies Valérie Rabault did the same, claiming “exemplarity” and stressing that the commission “can be convened at any time” in the remaining four months of the legislature.
Empty Chair Policy
“Assume your choice”, added Michel Zumkeller (UDI), followed by Charles de Courson (Freedoms and territories) who pleaded for a “clarification”. Éric Coquerel (LFI) indicated that he would apply if necessary.
The majority has meanwhile united behind its new recruit. The rules of the Assembly stipulate that the chairman of the committee must belong to the opposition at the time of his election but not necessarily beyond, argued the budget rapporteur Laurent Saint-Martin (LREM). And the Finance Committee “deserves better than the import of a political and symbolic debate”.
Impavid, Eric Woerth said: “I will not resign, that’s how it is”. “I do not support Emmanuel Macron’s first term, I said I was going to support Emmanuel Macron’s second term,” he added, immediately booing.
The opposition deputies then left the room, leaving the meeting to continue in the presence of the majority around various hearings.