Crisis at Renaissance Var: the president and a dozen executives will resign

An expert in community crisis management at Crise Help. This is Fabien Matras's new job. The former En Marche MP for the 8th constituency of Var knows what he's talking about.

Even more so today, as a rebellion has just broken out within Renaissance Var, of which he took over as president after Mourad Boudjellal's (unsuccessful) attempt two years ago. To the point of resigning from his political position in turn, according to our information.

"I 'm going to hand over ," he confirms. "I've always said I'm here to make the transition. And then, I need greater neutrality in my work. Even if I've always kept things in perspective, it will be more comfortable ."

That's the official version.

Behind the scenes, the reasons for this renunciation are anything but politically correct. While Fabien Matras assures that he is leaving a party " in better shape " with " real cohesion " and " people who are happy to work together again ," others, internally, have a completely different vision.

And would have reported it to the national authorities of the presidential party.

Hence the sending, last Thursday, of a letter reminding the president of Renaissance Var of the proposals made to the departments to " support the structuring effort " (densification of the organizational chart, boosting local involvement, support for new members, very regular visits from party officials, etc.) requested by Gabriel Attal in the run-up to the seminar for departmental assembly presidents on July 5.

Before moving on to the criticism. " A few weeks before the deadline, it appears that very few mobilization and animation actions have actually been undertaken in the Var and that several requests remain unanswered ," write Anne Genetet and Prisca Thévenot, delegated general secretaries to the departmental assemblies, who ask him to make contact "as soon as possible."

The final blow for Fabien Matras, who thought he was fully assuming his responsibilities as a good soldier of Macron's party? " I made a plane out of this letter ," he replied. "It didn't even fly, I threw it into the water. "

The entourage of the former mayor of Flayosc also points to the " management problems of Prisca Thévenot ", who " was supposed to be an intern when Fabien participated in the creation of En Marche ".

Who benefits from this departure?

Behind what is perceived as "a stink bomb ", some see the intervention of Gilles Joannet, another Var headliner of Renaissance.

" It's ridiculous, stupid and false ," he argues. " When I have something to say, I say it directly to the person concerned ."

Does he see himself as caliph in the caliph's place? " That's not the point ," assures this 59-year-old management consultant, eight of whom have spent in the South, who had competed against Mourad Boudjellal for the post in 2023. "The most important thing is not to satisfy egos, but to apply a working method with a view to the municipal elections. I didn't come to the Var to live in a department of fascists. "

A very different speech from the one he gave at the time: " When we criticize the leaders of the National Rally, we alienate the people who voted for them. Whereas we must bring back the lost votes. By making them participate. By nurturing them. By being in positive communication ."

Another contender for the presidency of Renaissance Var? Maxime Robert, current representative of JAM83 (Young People with Macron) and spokesperson for Renaissance Var.

" He also shot Fabien Matras in the foot, claiming that he was doing nothing at all ," believes another close friend of the former MP, who fears " a trusteeship " of the Var section.

" I've never worked with that logic in mind ," denies Maxime Robert. "Like everyone else, I was shocked to learn that Fabien could leave ."

The time for settling scores was set for 8 p.m. this Monday, via videoconference. " It's time to lay our cards on the table and get to the bottom of it ," said one of the participants, who said it was looking " bad ."

Around ten other Var executives intend to leave following Fabien Matras, including Rayann Mouslim, departmental secretary and candidate for Together for the Republic in the 8th constituency in 2024.

" I want elections to be held as soon as possible so that cities like Toulon don't fall into the hands of the National Rally ," he said. Between now and the 2026 municipal elections, everything could still change.