“You are not going to pee in your panties”: the macho attack of the deputy mayor of Metz against an elected opponent

A particularly sexist comment in the plenary session of the municipal council of Metz. “You’re still not going to pee on your underwear in front of everyone who’s there,” said Khalifé Khalifé, first deputy mayor. The person attacked: Charlotte Picard, member of the elected opposition. She reacted immediately:

“Mr. First Assistant, your way of thinking is totally disrespectful.”

“Oh well?” Khalifé Khalifé replies as if nothing had happened. Other voices are heard: “Would you have said the same thing to a man?” Charlotte Picard speaks again.

“I think there is no need to talk about my body and my urology within the City Council, first deputy,” said the socialist.

Response of the person concerned: “I am talking about your behavior […] I listened to you without sniffing when I disagreed, but here you are in front of me and I saw your behavior directly.”

Charlotte Picard then asks him to apologize for “the expression [qu’il a] used.” “Sorry, but it went down so well,” Khalifé Khalifé replies before finally apologizing.

“We get up and we break”

“Reminding a municipal councilor that she would pee in her panties is infantilizing and denigrating,” declares Marine Veronneau, a member of the same municipal group as Charlotte Picard.

He continues: “You must apologize. You have been asked to do so and you have the gall to go further than that.” [que votre expression] It came at the right time.”

“I am terribly shocked,” insists the chosen one.

“Oh, listen, Mrs. Veronneau can be treated,” Khalifé Khalifé replies, indicating that he has already apologized. The drop of water causes the vase to overflow.

“We get up and break,” says the councilman.

The left opposition is finally back in the room. And the first deputy agrees to apologize again to ease tensions.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Picard, if my words offended you. It was not to belittle you and less to insult you. I renew my apologies,” agrees the first deputy.

François Grosdidier, mayor of Les Républicains (LR) of Metz, was not present at Thursday’s meeting. He was hospitalized on Wednesday night after a “small stroke”, according to information released by the local press.