The Vice-Presidency of the National Assembly: the election is set to take place this afternoon following the appointment of Annie Genevard (LR) to the government, leaving the position vacant. Vice-Presidents preside over public sessions alongside the President of the Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, and are also involved in the management of the Palais-Bourbon. The election is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, after government questions, around 4:30 pm, and will be conducted through a secret paper ballot with all 577 deputies participating. The process involves multiple voting booths adjacent to the hemicycle to expedite proceedings, but given the necessity of an absolute majority in the first two rounds, the length of the election is expected.
Predicting a favorite for the position is challenging, as the outcome is uncertain. Although Virginie Duby-Muller (Savoie) could be considered the frontrunner based on potential agreements between the central bloc and LR, recent events have introduced unpredictability. The MoDem, excluded from the July election, will present Christophe Blanchet (Calvados) as a candidate, while the National Rally will put forth Yoan Gillet (Gard) in a bid to regain representation in the bureau. Olivier Serva (Liberty, Independents, Overseas Territories, Guadeloupe) aims to become the first vice-president from an overseas territory and has reached out to the left for support, but the New Popular Front will field its own candidate. Jérémie Iordanoff (Isère) is vying for the Greens’ nomination, his moderate profile appealing to centrists who may prefer an alternative to LR.
The political landscape within the National Assembly is tense, with shifting alliances and close vote counts. The left currently holds 192 votes, while the government’s core coalition without the MoDem stands at 175 votes. Given the potential for new candidates to emerge or withdraw in each round, the outcome of the election remains uncertain. Various factions are strategizing to secure the Vice-Presidency, with some aiming to reshape the bureau’s composition or reverse previous exclusions. The result will depend on the alignment of interests and the decisions made by individual deputies during the voting process.
As the election unfolds, the dynamics within the National Assembly are on display, showcasing the intricacies of parliamentary politics. The position of Vice-President plays a crucial role in the functioning of the institution, overseeing public sessions and sharing responsibilities with the Assembly President. With candidates from different parties vying for the position, the election provides a snapshot of the current power dynamics and negotiations taking place behind the scenes. Ultimately, the outcome will impact the balance of power within the Assembly and may influence future collaborations and decision-making processes among political factions.
