Central bloc's "overreaching" regalianism criticized by Marc Fesneau, viewed as a "breach of trust to Macronism"
Centrist Politician Marc Fesneau Warns Against Escalating Regulatory Rivalry
Marc Fesneau, the second-in-command of the MoDem party and close ally of Prime Minister François Bayrou, has expressed strong reservations about the escalating regulatory disagreements within the central bloc supporting President Emmanuel Macron. In a statement on Saturday, Fesneau criticized what he perceived as a form of "one-upmanship" or "surenchère" that aligns more with the rhetoric of the right or even the far right, rather than the moderation and unity originally envisioned for the center.
Fesneau, who joined the coalition backing Macron in 2017 as a deputy and later as a minister, described this trend as a "betrayal" of the original Macronist spirit from 2017, which emphasized unity, moderation, and reconciliation. Speaking to press, Fesneau argued that these disputes are not only legally questionable but also serve to stigmatize, antagonize, and fracture society, rather than promoting unity.
Fesneau voiced concern that personal interests may be driving certain figures within the central bloc to propose hardline positions. He warned against the French public's increasing endorsement of extremist parties like the National Rally (RN) and the Left Wing Front (LFI), suggesting that the overheating of regulatory issues could provide justification for these parties to claim vindication.
"We will not let it happen," Fesneau added, expressing optimism that many within the central bloc share his concerns and are working towards restoring reason. Acknowledging the complex political landscape, Fesneau noted that the prime minister's room for maneuver is limited by the absence of a majority in the National Assembly. He emphasized the need for all members of the central bloc to regulate these excesses and promote unity.
This development serves as the latest example of tension within the Macron-led coalition as it faces challenges ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Fesneau suggests that the intensifying regulatory conflicts within the central bloc, reminiscent of "surenchère" or one-upmanship, could inadvertently facilitate a rise in extremist parties like the National Rally (RN) and the Left Wing Front (LFI), given the public's increasing endorsement of such parties. To counter this trend, Fesneau urges the central bloc to address these issues and maintain unity, emphasizing that this is critical for achieving the Macronist spirit introduced in 2017, which encourages moderation, reconciliation, and policy decisions informed by general news and policy-and-legislation considerations.
