On the Facebook page of his list in the municipal elections, an RN elected official from Hauts-de-France proposed “the instruction” of “shooting for children in the face of Islamist threats”. The management of the RN has decided to convene a sanctions committee.
The management of the National Rally (RN) did not at all appreciate the words of Christophe Marécaux, regional advisor RN of Hauts-de-France and elected opposition in Guînes (Pas-de-Calais), near Calais.
Upon returning from the general assembly of the local La Patriote shooting range, the municipal candidate published a call on the Facebook page “Rally for Guines” – a text which sparked controversy and pressure from mainstream parties.
“Christophe Marécaux is present to support the shooters, at a time when this activity is increasingly threatened by European directives which will ban lead from projectiles. A year rich in both results, a positive financial balance, security and homologation of the stand are a thing of the past! Good luck … Isn’t it necessary to educate our children in shooting, in the face of present and future Islamist threats?” the elected official wanted to know in a post dated January 26, deleted since, but unearthed by the local French newspaper Nord Littoral.
“Stupid” and “dangerous” said Marine Le Pen when questioned on February 3 on RMC. The president of the RN denounced the proposal which “engages only the regional councilor from which it emanated”.
For his part, Sébastien Chenu, deputy and spokesperson for the RN, described Christophe Marécaux’s remarks as “inadmissible”. He announced that the latter would soon be summoned to the party’s sanctions committee.
The President of the Hauts-de-France Region, Xavier Bertrand, also reacted to this proposal. He castigated the “dangerousness” of the leaders of the RN, calling Marine Le Pen to “say very clearly that [Christophe Maréceaux] has no place” in the party when interviewed on RMC and BFMTV.
Contacted by regional daily La Voix du Nord, Christophe Maréceaux did not want to comment on the issue.