French Parliament’s Republicans to Oppose Richard Ferrand’s Nomination to Constitutional Council
On Tuesday, February 18, members of the Republicans group ("Les Républicains") in the National Assembly’s Law Commission announced their decision to vote against the nomination of Richard Ferrand as President of the Constitutional Council. This follows a meeting held within the group, where members expressed concerns about the former National Assembly President’s candidacy.
Laurent Wauquiez, the group’s president, has previously stated that he sees issues with the nomination of this close associate of Emmanuel Macron. He will address the press at the Assembly on Tuesday to provide further details. Republican senators have also discussed the matter but have yet to reach a consensus. However, several have publicly declared their intention to vote against the nomination proposed by the Head of State.
The decision by Republican parliamentarians, particularly in the Senate, could be crucial for Ferrand. He will face a hearing before the Law Commissions of both chambers on Wednesday. For his nomination to be rejected, three-fifths of the votes cast by parliamentarians from both commissions would need to oppose it, a rare occurrence in the French Parliament.
The prospect of rejecting the nomination has gained traction in recent days due to the growing opposition from Republican deputies and senators. Concerns have been raised both regarding Ferrand’s closeness to Macron and his perceived lack of expertise in legal and constitutional matters.
Yaël Braun-Pivet, the current President of the National Assembly, urged parliamentarians to base their decision on the hearings, saying, "I am tired of playing the game before it is played. It is important to see what happens in the hearings."
"I have seen parliamentarians change their minds, both ways, depending on the hearing. I never play the game before the kickoff," she emphasized before the press at the National Assembly.
Ferrand is expected to receive support from the majority of groups that backed Macron in the previous legislature (EPR-Horizons-MoDem). Conversely, the left is likely to vote overwhelmingly against his nomination in both chambers.
The National Rally (Rassemblement National), with 16 deputies in the Law Commission, has not publicly disclosed its stance. The entourage of Marine Le Pen, the party’s president, has criticized the "drift" of appointing politicians to the Constitutional Council but maintains that the RN members will decide based on Ferrand’s responses to their questions during Wednesday’s hearing. "We will play the game," said a deputy from the group.
If rejected, Ferrand’s nomination would be a significant setback for Macron and would raise questions about his ability to secure support for his legislative agenda. The Constitutional Council is a key institution in France, responsible for ensuring the conformity of laws with the Constitution. Its independence is crucial for the country’s democratic functioning.
