An "unworthy" attack, the stigma of an "Americanization" of French political life. Benjamin Griveaux's competitors hastened to react to the withdrawal of the now ex-LREM candidate for mayor of Paris. The latter took this Friday the decision to give up his campaign because of the broadcast of a sex video.
The outgoing socialist mayor, Anne Hidalgo , called in a press release "for respect for private life and respect for people". "Parisians deserve a worthy debate, up to the challenges we face," she added before setting out the priorities for her project for the capital. Communist candidate Ian Brossat, an ally of Anne Hidalgo, simply relayed this message.
. @ Anne_Hidalgo: "I call for respect for private life and respect for people.
Parisians deserve a worthy debate. "Pic.twitter.com/5DZm7etFqq
The dissident of the presidential majority Cédric Villani has made him more sober. He sent on Twitter his "full and wholehearted support" to Benjamin Griveaux and his family and denounced an "unworthy attack […], a serious threat to our democracy". "Respect for privacy online is one of the main challenges of our time," said former walker and MP Paula Forteza, member of Cédric Villani's team and candidate in the 19th arrondissement in Paris.
I address to Benjamin Griveaux, as well as to his family, my full and whole support in this test. I take note of his difficult decision. His outrageous attack is a serious threat to our democracy.
- Cédric Villani (@VillaniCedric) February 14, 2020Gaspard Gantzer , former adviser to François Hollande, was also moved by the "difficult decision" of Benjamin Griveaux. "If we start to judge privacy, we will never leave it and we will drift towards an Americanization of society," he said on BFMTV. What has just happened is a precedent. He made particular reference to former American deputy Anthony Weiner, who was repeatedly plunged into sex scandals.
In the same vein, the environmental candidate (EELV) David Belliard asked for “a respectful debate, on the substance of ideas and projects”, and “respect for private life”. "This is unacceptable," said Danielle Simonnet , the rebellious elected official, who denounced an "instrumentalization of private life".
The candidate Les Républicains, Rachida Dati, and Serge Federbusch , invested by the National Rally, have not yet spoken. No reaction either for the time being in Marcel Campion's camp.
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VIDEO. Benjamin Griveaux withdraws his candidacy for mayor of Paris