The rumor began to circulate late Wednesday afternoon, in the department's political and associative networks. Former journalist Éric Zemmour, now leader of the far-right Reconquest party, would be at the opening of the Fair the next day. The “anti-fascist networks” immediately mobilized, with the Solidaires 21 union in particular inviting a counter-visit on site. The management of the fair promised that it did not know any more, but it had nevertheless taken care to strengthen security around the site. At the appointed time, anti-fascist activists were of course there, but there was no Eric Zemmour.
“Not at the Fair, but in Dijon all the same”?
The rumor, decidedly tenacious, then began to say that he was “not at the Fair, but in Dijon all the same”. On the side of the police, we were even more evasive: “Éric Zemmour is in Côte-d’Or this Thursday, but in a private capacity”.
At the end of the day, Franck Gaillard, the Reconquest delegate for the department and the region, was more verbose: “Éric Zemmour met today on my initiative, and in Côte-d'Or, around ten mayors of the department, disgusted by the current system, in particular the growing weight of communities of municipalities. What we want is more power for mayors. »
For his part, Théo Contis, departmental co-secretary for Solidaires 21, claims to have had “certain confirmation that Eric Zemmour wanted to come to the fair this Thursday morning at 10 a.m., which led to a strengthening of security on site and law enforcement. He even tried to negotiate a visit later in the afternoon.” Without finally appearing in the aisles, therefore.
