Claire O'Petit

Clairette Hélène Marceline O'Petit (born 15 October 1949) is a French politician representing La République En Marche! She was elected to the French National Assembly on 18 June 2017, representing the 5th constituency of the department of Eure.

Biography Early life and education Claire O'Petit was born in Épinay-sur-Seine, located in the department of Seine-Saint-Denis where she remained during her youth. Her mother was a cook and member of the PCF, who left the party following the liberation, horrified by the fate reserved to the "shaved women" (women whose hairs were shaved in public because of suspected "horizontal collaboration" (having sex with German occupants) with the enemy), though remaining member of CGT.

Incumbent of a French professional in sewing,

Career and early political involvement She then completed a professional training and became business manager for a paramedical company, opening a dog grooming salon at the same time in Saint-Denis in the 1990s. After demonstrating against local tax on small shop and retailers assessed excessively in comparison to neighbouring cities, she got involved in activities for defense of local commercants and craftsmen defense in local structure.

Media Between 2005 and 2017, Claire O'Petit is a recurrent speaker at the French TV show Les Grandes Gueules on French channel RMC. She intervenes on the set once or twice a week. She appealed the verdict.

Political engagement Socialist party and Modem In 2001, Claire O'Petit is elected as a mayor candidate for the French socialist party aux 2001 French municipal elections in Épinay-sur-Seine. Thanks to high abstention, she won 28,56 % of the ballots after the first round, and is elected with 55,98 % of ballots against FN's candidate Vincent Taillieu.

Controversies In November 2012, O'Petit provoked controversy by pronouncing anti-Muslim expressions on RMC: "Frankly speaking, when I see a bearded man wearing a djellaba crossing the street at red-light, I just want to accelerate I say."

Newspapers notice her little participation to debates during her first months as MP. She responded stating that her absence was due to heath issues

In 2019, she took position against the reduction of the number of MP, resolution advocated by her own party.

In July 2017, she openly mocked complaints of opponents to cuts in housing benefits aimed to help students, assumed to finance the suppression of Impôt de solidarité sur la fortune saying: "If at 19 years old, 20 years old, 24 years old you start weeping because we remove to your purse 5 euros, what're you gonna do of your life ?". She added: "We must either cuts in expenses or we raise taxes [...] There're no free money, everyone must participate."

She also declared "Socialists are primary racists and serve out arabics."