After several weeks of waiting and speculation, the majority party has chosen its head of list. Renaissance has confirmed the appointment of MEP Valérie Hayer.
A few days ago, The Tribune got his name out in the press. It is now official, the Renaissance executive office has finally named MEP Valérie Hayer at the head of its European list this Thursday, February 29 in the evening.
Newly head of the centrist Renew group in the European Parliament, after the departure of Stéphane Séjournée at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, this 37-year-old woman is Emmanuel Macron’s choice. Names like Clément Beaune or Jean-Yves Le Drian, however, held the chord with certain tenors of the majority.
This choice will continue to be commented on, a little later in the evening, during a special European dinner organized by the president with the majority leaders, François Bayrou and Édouard Philippe in particular. Other names on the list will come out soon.
“A choice more European politics than national politics”
Daughter, granddaughter and sister of farmers, graduate in public law, former vice-president of the Mayenne Departmental Council, Valérie Hayer comes from the centrist UDI party. Former parliamentary collaborator of ex-minister Jean Arthuis, she joined Emmanuel Macron in 2017 before being elected European deputy in 2019.
“She ‘Europeanizes’ the debate and is unanimous in her Renew group,” comments MP Mathieu Magritte to BFMTV.com
“Little known to the general public”, he admits, “it can be and that is quickly corrected”, he puts things into perspective. “We’ll see with the other names on the list,” he also predicts.
Several members of the majority are praising in our ears a choice that is “more European politics than national politics”. “Valérie Hayer is serious and competent,” Mathieu Lefevre, who worked alongside her during the 2019 campaign, comments to us.
Catch up
Valérie Hayer will have the heavy responsibility of trying to counter unfavorable predictions in view of the June 9 election. The polls giving the majority list a good ten points behind the RN, already in the campaign for several weeks.
“She’s a very nice girl who knows the subjects, but it all took too long to give birth,” says a majority strategist from France info.
In 2019, the majority, led by Nathalie Loiseau, obtained 22.4% of the votes, just behind the RN already led by Jordan Bardella (23.3%).
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In the meantime, Renaissance and its allies from MoDem and Horizons have indicated that they will launch their campaign on March 9 during a meeting in Lille. Jordan Bardella, head of the RN list, will give a boost on March 3 during a first major public meeting in Marseille.