This is a first in a year and a half.
According to information from
Le
Point
confirmed in
Le Figaro
, the mayor of Béziers (Hérault) Robert Ménard, and the president of the National Rally Marine Le Pen, met discreetly at the National Assembly on Monday.
“
It went very well, we were able to discuss without tension.
It has been a long time since I had seen her so serene,
”the city councilor of Béziers told the weekly.
To read also: Rififi between Robert Ménard and Marine Le Pen
The conflict between the two elected officials had persisted for several months.
At the end of January, Robert Ménard still declared in
Figaro
not to believe in a victory of the boss of the RN, unable, according to him, to form a union on the right.
“
I am not claiming victory.
I have sympathy for Marine Le Pen (...) but I continue to think that despite all her qualities, (she) will not bring together 50.01% of the French,
”he said.
To read also: Marine Le Pen accused of "softness" and "imprecision" by Gérald Darmanin
However, a poll published on January 27 has shaken these certainties.
According to this study, Marine Le Pen would indeed collect 48% of the voting intentions in the second round of the next presidential election, in the event of a duel against Emmanuel Macron (52%).
This is the highest score ever attributed by an opinion poll to the finalist of 2017. A few days later, the mayor of Béziers was already sketching the outlines of a future reconciliation in the columns of the
Parisian
.
“
I am easily tough.
I had words that hurt and that I regret
, he confided.
Mea culpa
”.
This meeting therefore marks a new stage.
It remains to be seen whether Robert Ménard will be able to overcome the differences that remain, especially on the economic level, to see in Marine Le Pen a figure capable of bringing together.
