Raphaël Arnault, deputy of La France Insoumise (LFI) and founder of the dissolved leftist anti-fascist movement La Jeune Garde, returned to the National Assembly on, April 1st, following a month-and-a-half absence after the death of nationalist activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon.
The fatal incident involved some of Arnault’s relatives, and he has remained silent in the media—and absent from parliamentary sessions since mid-February.
During the session, Arnault stayed seated and silent, eyes fixed on his computer, drawing criticism from across the political spectrum. National Assembly president Yaël Braun-Pivet publicly questioned his fitness to continue representing the nation
It is difficult to exercise the function of deputy when you have this type of political approach.
She added that Arnault “has the face of shame.”
Columnist and lawyer Sandrine Pégand described the return as deeply shocking, highlighting Arnault’s prior conviction for violence against an 18-year-old. She emphasized that elected officials have a duty of exemplarity, a responsibility Arnault no longer meets.
Robert Ménard, mayor of Béziers, expressed being “deeply shocked” by Arnault’s comeback, noting that having three collaborators indicted and returning to Parliament after a period of media silence was unacceptable.
Adding to the criticism, Marion Maréchal, leader of the right-wing Identity–Liberties party, posted online that Arnault’s presence in the National Assembly following Deranque’s death is “unworthy of our democracy” and called for his resignation, urging citizens to mobilize and sign a petition demanding he step down.
