The National Assembly refers Aurore Bergé to the Paris public prosecutor’s office for “perjury”

On Wednesday October 9, the French National Assembly reported to the Paris public prosecutor’s office the statements made by Aurore Bergé, who was accused of “perjury” after denying any personal link with the head of the federation of private crèches during a commission of inquiry.

Bureau disagreement
This morning, the Bureau of the French National Assembly examined a request to take legal action against the former Minister of Solidarity and Families. This “request to initiate proceedings” was approved by 10 votes in favor and 9 against, in a context where the left holds a majority within this body. According to AFP reports, corroborated by H24 NEWS, the Board agreed to forward the case to the public prosecutor’s office.

Aurore Bergé’s reaction
Aurore Bergé expressed her displeasure on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “The NFP, which has a majority on the Bureau of the National Assembly, has unsurprisingly decided to submit to LFI and its unfounded demand against me. The political and democratic wreckage of the Left continues unabated. Next.”

The accusations against Aurore Bergé emerged in the wake of revelations contained in Victor Castanet’s book *Les Ogres*. Left-wing MPs accused the former minister of “perjury” in connection with her statements to the commission of inquiry last November.

Accusations of closeness
When asked about her relationship with Elsa Hervy, delegate for the French federation of crèche companies, Aurore Bergé admitted to having met her in 2008 when they were at the UMP, but said she had not had a relationship since. However, *Les Ogres* makes allegations to the contrary, stating that they exchanged “elements of language”.

A commission of inquiry under strain
The book also reveals worrying practices within private crèches, citing problems of abuse, financial pressure and burnout among staff. Following several scandals, deputies from La France insoumise had called for the creation of a commission of inquiry, which the right and a large part of the presidential camp had initially rejected.

Although the commission has been set up, its work is taking place in a tense climate. The draft report, published last May, has been described as “a system on its last legs” by rapporteur Sarah Tanzilli, while La France insoumise accuses it of protecting the interests of the for-profit private sector.

Legal action against Victor Castanet
In response to the accusations, Aurore Bergé announced her intention to file a libel suit against Victor Castanet, a few weeks after the publication of *Les Ogres*. She also assured us that she had reinforced the culture of control in the day-care sector.

Mathilde Panot, president of the Insoumis deputies, said: “You don’t get chummy with child-abusing lobbies when you’re minister in charge of early childhood.” This affair highlights the tensions and political stakes surrounding the management of crèches in France.