"He has no personal connection with us": François Bayrou wants to get closer to Macronist MPs

The Prime Minister is inviting Macron's MPs to Matignon on Tuesday evening, a first since he became head of government. A cocktail reception that will resemble a cuddle therapy session.

Petits fours, a glass of champagne to smooth things over a bit, a toast at Matignon to avoid "toasting" the National Assembly... The strategy is well known; Prime Ministers have been doing it for decades, hosting parliamentarians to close ranks. This is what François Bayrou intends to do on the evening of Tuesday, May 20, with the Ensemble pour la République group, formerly known as Renaissance, and he needs it even more than the others.

The head of government still doesn't have a majority, but above all, his relationship with Macron's MPs has remained complicated since his arrival. At least, that's what the latter are suggesting to franceinfo . "He hasn't created any personal bonds with us, he treats the Socialists better, we're even following the government's lead," laments one of the guests. That's the method. His behavior also irritates. Many denounce his muddled side, his lack of preparation. A deputy who knows him recalls that he "has never been easy to approach, always surrounded by a court, used to talking urbi et orbi, except that here, not everyone drinks his words, he can't manage parliamentarians in such a top-down way."

Hence this moment, this cocktail, to try to calm things down a little... Even if the idea didn't come directly from François Bayrou, it's a request from the group that dates back a few months already. What's surprising is the timing. According to sources, Matignon's invitation came at the same time as the Prime Minister's hearing before the commission of inquiry into the Bétharram affair. "He must have had a case of heatwave," thinks one Macronist, " he realized the lack of support, while facing a member of parliament from our group [Violette Spillebout, co-rapporteur]. "But it's not up to us to make the panels to defend him or share the government's mental load," irritates another.

Many say they don't expect much from this exchange, except "clear guidelines, a timetable" for upcoming legislation, and especially for the next budget and the billions of euros in savings to be found. The Prime Minister wants to involve them, his entourage assures franceinfo. Proof that despite frustrations and resentments, the expectation is there: among the 94 Macronist MPs, who have been fairly demotivated lately, more than 70 accepted the invitation.