Several left-wing elected officials criticize Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Qatar to attend France’s World Cup semi-final against Morocco on Wednesday. When asked about France Inter on Monday, the rebel Manuel Bompard, soon to take over LFI coordination, felt that “Emmanuel Macron is wrong.”
“The Blues do not need their presence in the stands”, according to the Bouches-du-Rhône deputy. And to continue: “On the other hand, human rights need diplomatic action from France.”
“Political Misconduct”
The same story with the green deputy Benjamin Lucas. “I think we can vibrate for the France team […] without going to endorse the Qatari regime that violently mistreats human rights”, the elected representative of Yvelines criticized on Sud Radio. He sees in this trip a “political fault”.
The organization of the world in Qatar has raised a lot of criticism for the living conditions of migrant workers in this country, the place of women and LGBT minorities or the ecological cost of the event.
“On paper, there were a lot of reasons not to go,” said Matthieu Croissandeau, a political columnist for BFMTV.
“In addition, when the executive calls us to sobriety, a round trip on a presidential plane, maybe two if France qualifies for the final, it is still a bit bad, not to mention the conditions for awarding this Cup. of the World that are the object of an investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office for active and passive corruption, money laundering and cover-up”, he continues.
Jadot “solemnly asks” Macron not to go to Qatar
Above all, four people were charged and jailed on Sunday for “corruption” in relation to Qatar in the European Parliament, including the institution’s vice-president, Eva Kaili.
“A commission of inquiry is necessary. And even more so the political boycott of the World Cup,” reacted the European deputy Yannick Jadot, underlining an “extremely serious” case. The environmentalist “solemnly asks President Emmanuel Macron to cancel his trip to Qatar.”
“Today, what stands out is the interference of Qatar, in a corruption scandal of incredible gravity,” LFI deputy Bastien Lachaud tweeted. Before scolding the Head of State:
“In this context, is President Macron’s visit to Qatar appropriate?”
“Important moment in French sport”
On the far right, the president of the National Rally Jordan Bardella indicated on BFMTV that “in a personal capacity” “it will not be[t] has not gone” to Qatar. However, the MEP refuses to speak of guilt.
“That the president of the French Republic travels to Qatar to support the French soccer team depends on him and I think it is his responsibility,” he said.
For its part, the Élysée indicated that “it is about supporting the Blues in what will be an important moment for French sport and Franco-Moroccan friendship.” “It is important that the president is there to support the players of the France team.”
Source: BFM TV
