She had been under the “surveillance” of feminist activists for three years. Accused by her ex-girlfriend of having exercised “psychological violence” on her, the national secretary of Europe-Ecology-The Greens (EELV), Julien Bayou, resigned from his post on Monday.
According to daily revelations Releasethe latter knew that he had been targeted by a group of feminists since 2019. This informal group, which included one of his former colleagues, was investigating his account, denouncing his attitude towards women.
From Yannick Jadot to Eva Jolly, these revelations created a stir among executives and former party leaders. According to information from BFMTV, the EELV is organizing this Saturday an emergency meeting of the management and unit to combat sexual and gender violence.
Relatives and ex-partners questioned
According to information from Release, this vigilance became entrenched when Julien Bayou acquired a reputation as a “runner.” The objective, exposed at the time by the activists: to protect the women who fall under his spell. This is how these researchers contact relatives and former colleagues of Julien Bayou, in order to learn about his behavior.
“When I was approached by Eugénie (one of the collective’s activists, whose first name has been changed, editor’s note), whom I knew well, I played her game trusting myself. I spoke as we spoke of her ex-lover, not very dithyrambic what ”, a former partner of hers confides in particular to Liberación.
If it does not advance in psychological violence, it is not the case for all: in a WhatsApp group created specifically to communicate about the “Bayou case”, the members of the group exchange about “pressures” and “manipulations” that they believe they have suffered from the party leader.
“This has meant three years of difficulties for him, for his partner and former colleagues from whom we were trying to obtain information,” describes Lilian Alemagna, head of the Liberation political department, live on BFMTV this Saturday.
The inner fighting cell takes over itself
On June 30, one of them, Aline (her first name has been changed) contacted the EELV unit in charge of combating sexist and sexual violence, explaining that she wanted to commit suicide and denouncing the lack of reaction to the Julien Bayou attitude. Then the cell takes over itself.
The following is the revelation in the media of the existence of these accusations of psychological violence against Julien Bayou, after his resignation on Monday. However, he insists that he has never been listened to by the cell, despite repeated requests.
“What it says is how to deal with these cases internally, before the units to combat GBV [Violences Sexistes et Sexuelles, ndlr] that in the end they become politicized and paralyzed”, adds Lilian Alemagna on BFMTV, while specifying that “things were done outside the political party”.
“Acts Beyond Any Frame”
Cell member Rosalie Salaün-Gourlaouen tweeted after the article was published, saying it was “easily recognizable.” She denounces on her part a “fabric of lies”.
“I am outraged that people for whom I hold political esteem take these allegations seriously,” she wrote.
These revelations create a stir among EELV supporters. Eva Joly, a former environmentalist MEP, believes in particular that “these actions outside any framework serve the cause they are supposed to promote and are dangerous for the very people we claim to protect”, as she writes in a tweet.
Similar reaction for the MEP Karima Delli, who denounces a “delirium”. “Feminism is not the inquisition. It’s time to speak to us now before it’s too late!” She also said on Twitter.
Jadot regrets Bayou’s resignation
BFMTV guest on Friday morning, Yannick Jadot pointed the finger for his part at the entire management of the case, believing that Julien Bayou should not have resigned. He rather recommended a withdrawal and considers the sanction too severe.
“Since the cell has not returned its work, there is no need to sanction”, due to the lack of “filing a complaint” and although the accused “has not been able to defend himself”, he explained.
According to information from BFMTV, while the Federal Council of the EELV is being held this Saturday and Sunday, an emergency meeting of the executive office and the unit to combat sexist and sexual violence is being held.
Source: BFM TV
