"A fiasco." "Never seen." The awakening of the macronists was painful on Friday morning. 48 hours after the posting of compromising messages and videos on a website, Benjamin Griveaux has renounced his candidacy for mayor of Paris. "This decision costs me but my priorities are very clear. It's my family first , ” said the former government spokesperson in a short statement filmed at AFP headquarters in Paris.
A few minutes later, this close friend of Emmanuel Macron brought together his campaign executives and employees at his HQ, then the district teams. Around him, elected officials and little hands are in tears. Some have not slept overnight. “Benjamin was very worthy. What he experiences is very hard. The Republic on the march must remain united in this ordeal, ” underlines Julien Bargeton, senator and councilor of Paris.
Read also: Jean-Pierre Le Goff: "Griveaux affair, how did we get there?"
“It was moving, heartbreaking. We were facing a man who has incredible strength in a terrible moment. He was relieved that the campaign, as it would become, stops, ”said another participant. According to those around him, Benjamin Griveaux now wishes to "rest, take care of his own" , but also "to defend himself" , since he is determined to initiate legal proceedings. Refugee and Russian artist Pyotr Pavlensky claimed to be at the origin of the dissemination of private documents.
"We have rarely gotten this low"
Benjamin Griveaux hesitated 24 hours before retiring from the race at the town hall of Paris. Relatives indicate that he learned of the publication on Wednesday, late in the day. "At first, he thought that it was not likely to divert him, that he had to continue," said one of his friends. The elected official maintains the presentation of his program, Thursday, while internally, some threaten to leave the ship. "He didn't want to be behind the dismantling."
Read also: Griveaux case: "Transparency has become uncontrollable"
Thursday evening, the ex-candidate met with the head of state. "The president was worried that these drifts could exist, worried about the significance as for the state of the country" , underlines an intimate of Griveaux. On the campaign in Le Havre, Édouard Philipe soberly expressed his "sympathy" and his "support" for the deposed candidate, when interior minister Christophe Castaner judged that the facts should "be continued" . It is the amazement on all floors. "We have rarely gotten this low," chokes a government adviser. It's septic tank level there. ” An evening visitor to Emmanuel Macron adds: "There are people who want heads at the end of spades, who rejoice if it bleeds." "I am frightened by this violence", cowardly, dumbfounded, a minister. "What do we want?" Elected in a robe? wonders a macronist leader. It discourages me, I want to stop everything. ”
His fall will affect all friends, the majority, the movement of La République en Marche and the government.
A history of the campaignHow far will the shock wave go? Will the entire macronie be affected by this thunderclap? “ When DSK and Jérôme Cahuzac fell, it was neither the fault of the Socialist Party nor that of François Hollande , argues a familiar at the Élysée Palace, convinced that the fire can be contained. We must stop looking for a culprit above. This Griveaux episode reminds us: the human being is sometimes weak, inconsistent and imbecile. That's all. "
But not everyone is of this opinion, around Emmanuel Macron. “ Benjamin is part of the first team, the one that conquered power , recalls a history of the campaign. We must not delude ourselves. His fall will affect all friends, the majority, the movement of La République en Marche and the government . ”
"Our goal is to have a candidate at the start of the week"
While waiting to learn the lessons of this episode, LREM, deprived of candidate in Paris, is agitated in the hope of finding the suitable replacement. One month before the first round, Benjamin Griveaux's withdrawal plunges his camp into an inextricable situation. "Now, for sure, we are going to lose," panics a leader of the majority. "Whatever happens, there will be an LREM list in Paris," said MEP Olivia Grégoire, spokesperson for the candidate who resigned, while the scenario of a rallying for the candidacy of environmentalist David Belliard - including Emmanuel Macron did not want to hear about it - was favored by some.
Read also: Arnaud Benedetti: "The main opponent of Benjamin Griveaux was himself"
Solicited, Secretary of State Marlène Schiappa, already on the list of the 14th arrondissement, indicated that she was not a candidate, while Mounir Mahjoubi, a time candidate for the LREM nomination, expressed his "availability To take up the torch. "Our goal is to have a candidate at the start of the week," probably Monday, said Marie-Laure Harel, councilor for Paris and spokesperson for the campaign. “Everyone is combative, we are trying to transform this injustice into energy to lead the fight. Cohesion has increased. ” “In adversity, we close ranks. The rage to conquer is even stronger now, "abounds with Figaro Sibeth Ndiaye, government spokesperson.
Nobody thinks from a strategic point of view. It's the ball of egos
A Parisian macronistThe names of Delphine Bürkli, former ex-Republicans mayor of the 9th district and close to the Prime Minister, and of Stanislas Guerini, boss of the party, circulate. "These are two interesting profiles, which make consensus," considers a Parisian executive. Others see it as an opportunity or never to pick up the pieces with Cédric Villani, dissident candidate and excluded from LREM. The latter had decided Friday evening to suspend his campaign. Discussions are expected to continue between the campaign staff, the party leadership, the nomination committee and the partners over the weekend. "Nobody thinks from a strategic point of view, sighs a Parisian macronist. It's the ball of egos. ”
