French Lawmaker to Sue Far-Right Rival Over ’Thug’ Slur During Minister’s Visit

The atmosphere was tense on Friday in Hayange (Moselle), during the visit of the Minister Delegate in charge of Democratic Renewal and government spokesperson. According to a video filmed by the cameras of Républicain Lorrain, it all started during a discussion between Olivier Véran and a resident of the municipality. "The public utility extras, that’s not for us," launches Laurent Jacobelli to the government spokesperson. "We have to stop with that," replies Belkhir Belhaddad to him. A response that the RN elected official apparently did not appreciate.

"How’s Mrs. Leduc doing?" Jacobelli then says to his colleague. The RN elected official was referring to Charlotte Leduc, the France insoumise deputy from the 3rd constituency of Moselle. He continues: "You share flowers with her. Is Hamas doing well?". He thus alludes to the political label of the latter and to the criticized position of LFI on the movement in power in Gaza. "No threat," Belhaddad retorts. "You talk to me differently, I’ll tell you right away. Thug [...] Don’t play your thug," the RN deputy then replies. Enough to shock the Renaissance elected official.

"Laurent Jacobelli used inappropriate and insulting language. These remarks, unforgivable, are in total opposition to the fundamental principles of democracy, respect for institutions and the Republic," Belhaddad said in a statement. He also announces that he will file a complaint in the coming days. "I readily acknowledge that my reaction was clumsy," Jacobelli writes on X (ex-Twitter), who talks about a "controversy".

On the same social network, LFI deputy Charlotte Leduc expresses her "full and complete support" for the Renaissance deputy. "I call on Yaël Braun-Pivet (President of the National Assembly) to firmly condemn and punish this behavior incompatible with the Republic," she adds.