Website of ‘lazy’ MPs threatened
Site chronicling MPs who do not take part in debates threatened with a €100,000 fine by one of its targets.
A WEBSITE following MPs who sit back during debates has been threatened with a €100,000 fine from one of its targets.
Website www.deputesgodillots.info run by two founders operating under the pseudonyms of Teymour and Roux, chronicles inactive MPs – the deputés godillots, a term which “ironically defines someone who follows orders without asking questions” according to the Dictionnaire de l’Académie française.
The term godillot dates back to the 19th Century from the name of Alexis Godillot, who made military boots used in infantry until the Second World War.
Tarn-et-Garonne MP Sylvia Pinel complained against the website, which proclaims that “every godillot will have their day,” when Teymour and Roux indicated hers was May 10, noting “This Wednesday morning, Sylvia Pinel put a question to the government.”
The website, which has been running for around one month, was set up after a surprise vote in a near-empty National Assembly rejected the Hadopi law on internet piracy as many MPs went on holiday early.
Despite the threats of heavy fines by Ms Pinel, the website founders said it will continue, although admitted they could not maintain the same level of activity.
Teymour said: “What would make it easier for us would be if there more hard-working MPs.”
They also hope the website will encourage everyone to become more involved in politics.
Teymour added: “What we are doing, everyone can do. Come to vote, show MPs their work is important. Democracy will come through even greater.”
