Roberto Vannacci “has been suspended from his duties as vice-president of the group”. The head of the Le Pen delegation, Jean-Paul Garraud, declared this in front of journalists. The news was announced on the sidelines of the press conference organised by the European Patriots group at the headquarters of the European Parliament. The reasons that led to this decision are currently unknown. Rumours were already circulating before the summer, shortly after the creation of the new right-wing formation, about a possible freeze on the nomination of the former general.
Contracts in the group
Throughout the summer, doubts were numerous from the French allies of the League, those of Marine Le Pen's National Rally. French politics itself, as well as its head of delegation Garraud, had expressed their discontent with the nomination of the MEP of the Northern League. Even going so far as to accuse Matteo Salvini of having indicated it by a “unilateral announcement”. Some, from the Patriotes polling stations, had stressed that the vote in favor of Vannacci had taken place “by mistake”. And Le Pen's right-hand man, Jordan Bardella, had publicly distanced himself from certain statements of the Northern League, described as “homophobic”.
After weeks, the problem seemed to have calmed down. At least until today. The former general did not show up at the press conference. When asked for explanations, the League sources did not wish to answer, limiting themselves to recalling that “only listed MEPs” would speak. It was then Garraud himself who provided the first details.