The president of the far-right party inaugurated, this Saturday morning, the office of MEP Julien Sanchez, a stone's throw from the town hall, before going to sign his book “What I am looking for”.
No longer mayor of Beaucaire, but still there. Julien Sanchez, who gave up his seat to Nelson Chaudon after his election to the European Parliament, chose to set up his MEP office at the corner of Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. A few meters from its former offices.
This Saturday morning, for the inauguration, 150 supporters are waiting in the cold for the president of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, who must cut the ribbon and, in the process, sell his recently released book. “This is the second time I'm going to see him!, exclaims Magalie, a smiling retiree. Last time, at the arena, I even got the kiss!”
Shyly at first, around forty opponents of the extreme right gathered in the middle of the square. There is the elected LFI Charles Menard or the activist Laure Cordelet: “It's necessary to be there. When you live in an RN city on a daily basis, you realize what it's like, the discrimination…” Simon, in his twenties, who lives in Beaucaire, does not recognize his commune in the RN: “By establishing its permanent presence here, we have the impression that the RN is reclaiming the city even more. That it is privatizing it. But there are plenty of people who do not share these ideas!”
The demonstrators removed
The police ask the demonstrators to move towards the back of the square. As they begin to sing anti-fascist songs, the police install a security cordon around them, preventing them from deploying. The tone rises: “It's a declared demonstration. There is no order not to occupy this place. We have prefectural authorization. What the police are doing there is arbitrary. I know something about it, I I did this job for forty years, as a municipal police officer!”, protests François Tardieu, LFI activist.
On the permanent side, Jordan Bardella arrives and climbs onto the platform, accompanied by MM Chaudon, Sanchez and four deputies. Nelson Chaudon takes the microphone : “It’s an honor to welcome you with so many people. […] And to have for the first time in our city the permanence of a European deputy.“Triumphant, Julien Sanchez continues: “Ten years ago they said that I would be a paratrooper and that I would be released after six months. 10 years later, we are still here!” The fans applaud.
“I hope that the Beaucairois will not be angry with us for having captured you, Jordan Bardella answers. We will fight in the European Parliament to defend the ideas of France and farmers!” He pauses: “Well, have our friends stopped singing? The resistance is at 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and then everyone goes to bed!” At the back of the square, the singing resumes; Bardella continues. He will only pronounce Marine Le Pen's name at the end of the speech. As if he was trying to distance himself from the figure of the party, indicted in a case of embezzlement of European funds. This won't stop supporters from chanting “Marine, Marine” before singing the Marseillaise. With the ribbon cut, Jordan Bardella can finally move on to the signings.
