Paris – Accusations of undue influence are flying as right-wing leader Bruno Retailleau claims Socialist Party First Secretary Olivier Faure is effectively dictating government policy, with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal simply following orders. Retailleau leveled the charge during a recent public statement, echoing a famous rebuke delivered by former President Jacques Chirac in 2004.
The criticism centers on budgetary negotiations where Retailleau alleges the government, under Attal, is conceding to socialist demands – a necessity, he argues, given the current parliamentary landscape. With the nationalist RN party consistently opposing the government in hopes of triggering new elections,the governance is increasingly reliant on securing the support of socialist deputies to avoid being overthrown. this reliance, Retailleau contends, has resulted in the Prime Minister “complying” with Faure’s decisions.
“Olivier Faure decides and, unfortunately, the Prime Minister complies,” Retailleau stated, directly referencing Chirac’s 2004 assertion of authority over then-Economy Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. Retailleau, who resigned from the government citing disagreements with its direction, further accused the socialists of promoting “lies” regarding economic policy, specifically the claims that reduced working hours lead to improved living standards and that increased public spending automatically stimulates growth.
the dynamic is unfolding as the government prepares to finalize its budget, a process where concessions to the left could mean shedding key policy priorities. Retailleau maintains his decision to leave the executive was justified, stating, “I do not belong to a government which would have taken positions contrary to my convictions.” He characterized the socialists’ economic proposals as misguided,labeling them “barkers” and asserting their policies have demonstrably failed elsewhere.
