Everyone is talking about it: the Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, just had to apologize publicly to François Hollande, head of the Socialists, for calling him a coward in the Assemblée nationale yesterday. He said that he "withdrew" his words, which "were not meant personally," and that he himself had not been spared from personal attacks. His apology was met with applause and boos.
[In the photo: Villepin seated at far left, Hollande center jabbing his finger toward him]
From today's Le Parisien:
It is 3:10 p.m. yesterday at the Assemblée nationale. François Hollande addresses the Prime Minister and attacks. "No trust from the country, no trust from the majority, nor from the press: in any democracy worthy of the name, the head of state or of parliament would have put a stop to this situation."
The first secretary of the Socialist Party passes on to the subject of his question, EADS, and asked if the government still trusted its president, Noël Forgeard [yet another Polytechnicien, whose sudden sale of his stock, right before the announcement of major delays at EADS subsidiary Airbus, has led to widespread accusations of insider trading].
Dominique de Villepin rises. "There is going to be an incident," whispers the UDF deputy to his neighbor, François Bayrou. Good call.
"Monsieur Hollande, there are moments in a democracy when one cannot say just anything," [Villepin] begins. Classic. He goes on, bizarrely, "There are moments in a democracy when one cannot mix up carrots and cauliflowers." Then the final thrust. "I denounce, Monsieur Hollande, the facile ease...." A silence. "And I would even say, the cowardice... the cowardice of your attitude."
For the socialists, it's too much. Augustin Bonrepaux hurls himself toward the government's bench. The bailiffs rush over to protect the Prime Minister. One sees Jean-Christopher Cambadélis brandishing his fist. Villepin keeps talking but his answer is inaudible. In the written notes of the session, on discovers that he hammered in the nail: "His cowardice, I repeat."
The left chants, "Resign, resign!" and "Get out, get out!" The UMP [Villepin's own party] protests. The socialist deputies hurry down the stairs, grouping around the government's bench, then begin to walk out. "Quietly, nicely, you're on television," mocks Jean-Louis Debré from his perch. Hollande, very close to the Prime Minister, asks him to withdraw the insult. Villepin does not look at him....[Debré was forced to suspend the session.]
In the corridors outside, things are growing warm. The socialists attack the Prime Minister, "who has never been elected to anything." On the UMP side, Christine Boutin demands the resignation of Villepin....The deputies of the majority are embarrassed by this loss of sang-froid on the part of the Prime Minister....A little later, Ségolène Royal flies to the aid of François Hollande [her companion and father of her four children]: "Just because the right fails at everything doesn't mean it should lose its self-control as well."
...This incident of a rare violence is perhaps not yet over.
--by Béatrice Houchard in Le Parisien
As a follower of French politics I was surprise to see this display of emotions, so much better than the USA congress!! Thanks for keeping me updated with what is happening in Paris. I love your blog, it is very entertaining and I read it always.
Greetings from Boston,
Rachell
Posted by: Rachell | 22 June 2006 at 04:12
Excellent account of this latest incident. I saw it on television and couldn't believe how heated the exchange became!
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 22 June 2006 at 10:27
There's an anglo expression I love and fits perfectly here: "petulant child'. And *that* is supposed to govern France... ouch.
Posted by: Frog in L.A. | 24 June 2006 at 05:22