#But I tired

[honestlydarkprincess]

me after drinking a coffee with four shots of espresso in it: nap time?

[bulletin-attal-sejourne]

The accession, the Trial, and the Crossroads on the party

Time: 20241117-20241120

Stephane's Steller Week

After weeks of intense negotiations, our guy Sejourne, the former leader of the centrist Renew group in the European Parliament and a close ally of Macron, secured a spot for himself on the European Commission on Wednesday evening. The vote was a resounding success, with a large majority of MEPs confirming S��journé as one of six executive vice presidents appointed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

THE PRICE OF POWER. The S&D group’s anger at von der Leyen’s deal-making led to threats to sink the EPP’s candidate for the powerful competition and climate portfolio, Teresa Ribera. After intense back-and-forth between the Parliament's political groups, the S&D conceded to von der Leyen on Fitto in exchange for the EPP’s backing of Ribera. The EPP’s support for Ribera only came after she endured questioning by the Spanish parliament regarding her ministry’s management of the deadly flooding in Valencia and refused to commit to resigning if indicted by a court.

A BACKROOM DEAL. The deal, which paved the way for the new Commission to start work on December 1, meant that no country’s nominee was rejected — the first time that this has happened since 1999. Although touted by von der Leyen as proof of the EU’s political unity, the deal, struck behind closed doors between a select group of MEPs, has been criticised by some as a backward step for the power of the European Parliament.

A THREAT TO THE CORDON SANITAIRE? Some Renew, Green and Socialist lawmakers opposed Fitto’s confirmation, arguing that his leadership position, along with that of Séjourné, represented a breaking of the cordon sanitaire between mainstream parties and those on the far right1. The EPP’s decision to back Fitto and Séjourné has led to concerns that it will normalise relations with the far right, potentially paving the way for the future inclusion of such parties in government.

BACK HOME IN FRANCE, Séjourné’s political patron, Emmanuel Macron, is no stranger to forging alliances with those on the right. Since winning a second term as French president in 2022, Macron has been forced to rely on the support of the conservative Les Republicains (LR) party to push through his legislative agenda4. The recent appointment of LR heavyweight Michel Barnier as prime minister was seen as a sign that Macron is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain his grip on power, even if it means sacrificing some of his party's core values.

However, Barnier’s premiership has been marked by a series of political crises. A major crisis revolves around the substantial budget deficit, which reached 6.1% of GDP in 2024, significantly exceeding the initial projection of 4.4%. This issue has triggered sharp criticism of the previous governments, including that of Gabriel Attal, from the Senate and opposition parties, back in Paris...

FINANCE FURORE. As I said in my previous newsletter, the news isn't looking good for our guy Gaby. Senate report on France’s budget deficit, which paints a damning picture of the former Prime Minister’s economic stewardship, would not help his already plummeting sondage. The report, spearheaded by Les Republicains (LR), has not only put Attal in the hot seat, but also threatens to torpedo the fragile “common ground” coalition he needs to achieve his political goals.

The Senate report accuses the Attal government of “irresponsibility” and “inaction” in the face of a rapidly deteriorating fiscal situation.

Specifically, the report criticizes Attal’s decision not to introduce a corrective budget in early 2024, despite warnings from his own finance ministry.

Attal and his former ministers have hit back, calling the report “full of lies” and a “politically motivated attack." They argue they took steps to address the deficit and blame the crisis on a global economic slowdown.

The National Assembly is set to conduct its own inquiry into the budget deficit, though the legal implication is minimal, they may lead to further scrutiny of Attal's time in government.

COALITION CONUNDRUM. The deficit debacle has exposed deep fault lines within the “common ground” coalition that brought together Macron’s centrist EPR with the conservative LR. As Attal sets his sights on the mayorship of Paris, this internal strife presents a major obstacle.

Attal’s relationship with his successor, Prime Minister Michel Barnier, has been characterized by tension and disagreement.

The Senate report, spearheaded by LR, is seen by some as an attempt to distance the conservatives from the economic failures of previous Macron-led governments.

Attal and LR leader Laurent Wauquiez have clashed over policy issues like raising employer contributions and the allocation of key parliamentary posts.

Tensions are high between Attal’s EPR group and their LR partners, with Attal accusing Wauquiez of being more interested in personal gain than in supporting the coalition.

MAYORAL PROSPECTS. Despite the current turmoil, Attal remains a strong contender for the mayorship of Paris. However, he faces a complex political landscape and will need to carefully navigate the challenges ahead.

A recent poll found that 42% of Parisians believe Attal would make a good mayor.

He will likely not face competition with the current Minister of Culture and mayor of the 7th arrondissement, Rachida Dati, but he will need to make a concession with the woman who has long laid her eyes on the position. Similar to what he did with Elizabeth Borne...

While being far less popular, Incumbent mayor Anne Hidalgo has not ruled out running for a third term, and the Socialist Party remains a force in Parisian politics.

Two Path, One Party

As Attal prepares to succeed Sejourne as the head of the Renaissance party on 8th Dec. He would point new direction to the party, namely:

ORGANISATION AND ELECTION. Attal is expected to expand the party's executive board to include more representatives from different regions of France. This move suggests a desire to make the party more inclusive and responsive to local concerns, echoing Stéphane Séjourné's broader efforts to decentralise Renaissance.

CONTROL OVER NOMINATIONS. Attal plans to appoint Franck Riester, one of his close allies, as the head of the elections division and the president of the National Investment Commission (CNI). This strategic placement will give Attal a key advantage in shaping the party's electoral landscape and promoting candidates aligned with his vision.

POST-MACRON MOMENTUM. Attal's leadership could also lead to a shift in power dynamics within the Renaissance, potentially diminishing the influence of long-standing Macron loyalists. Sources suggest that Attal aims to "dilute the weight" of figures like Richard Ferrand and Stanislas Guerini who currently hold significant sway within the party as de facto official members, despite barely participating in any party works or burex meetings. This move could signal a desire to assert his own authority and potentially distance the party from its close association with Macron, especially as he prepares for a potential presidential bid in 2027.

No one else was in the room where it happened

Here is what I want to know so badly but have no clue about because well, I, like my dear audience, am but a very ordinary citizen:

Regarding the AN grill on the abuse of power as caretaking government, of which both GA and StS were invited last week and today afternoon respectively, what are asked? What are the results?

Did Stephane play any role in settling this EVP trial?

Most importantly, are Gabriel Attal and Stephane Sejourne, uh-hem, together?

If you happen to be 'the one in knows' and are willing to fill the appetites of curiosity from your servants, welcome to DM me. I am all ears :)

[dreamyintersexouppy]

i've been socializing so much recently and forgetting that i'm an introvert who talks quiet

[ratcandy]

well, you see, the thing is: (instead of finishing my sentence i curl up comfortably in bed and go to sleep

[sadcena]

Making gifs is hard

[lgbtlunaverse]

The world exists in such a baffling state of simultaneous sex-aversion and sex-hegemony. Every social platform on the internet is trying to banish sex workers to the shadow realm but I can't post a tweet without at least two bots replying P U S S Y I N B I O. People are self-censoring sex to seggs and $3× but every other ad you see is still filled with half-naked women. Rightwingers want queer people arrested for so much as existing in the same postal code as a child and are also drumming up a moral panic about how teenage boys aren't getting laid enough. I feel like I'm losing my mind.

[bookpdf]

there should be more hours between 6 and 10pm. like even just two more hours. for my assorted hobbies & activities

[eunnieboo]

every single time

[boyquet]

I just want to remind people that it’s 2024 and we didn’t “go thru a pandemic” we are “going thru a pandemic” present tense. It is still happening. People are still get sick, still becoming disabled, and still dying. Covid hasn’t gone away and I beg people to not normalize getting sick with it.

[freakoutgirl]

I'm like if a girl who didn't do much was still experiencing burnout

[whaledocboi]

ai generated images make me increasingly sad and tired the more i see them in more and more casual contexts. i dont know how to explain, but it just fills the world with a bunch of nothing. no matter how visually stunning the pictures might be, there's nothing behind it for me. no dedication, no emotions, no feelings, no hard work or creativity, nothing i can truly think about, admire or enjoy. i dont think thats how art is supposed to be

[normal-thoughts-official]

Please stop seeing politics as an identity and start seeing it as a collective means for change

[mysillycomics]

[tuttle-did-it]

David Tennant for Prime Minister, please.

edit- Since this is getting so much attention, edited to include descriptions of screenshots.

This woman has lost her fucking mind.

Jo, are you okay?

[eikotheblue]

California girls we're unaccountable