On the eve of the anniversary of June 18, 1940, 84 years after General de Gaulle’s Appeal, the town of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, in Haute-Marne, is preparing. Discussion with the mayor, Pascal Babouot, on this ceremony which takes place in a particular political context.
On June 18, 1940, General de Gaulle made his famous call on London radio, on the BBC. A historic speech, both for the resistance it gave rise to and for the accuracy of the analysis, in the context of the Second World War.
84 years later, in June 2024, two weeks before the early legislative elections and while the National Rally obtained 30 seats in the European Parliament in the European elections, or 12 more than before, how does this anniversary resonate in Colombey -the-Two-Churches? A town of 729 inhabitants, where the majority voted for Jordan Bardella in the European elections. The RN totaled 52.9% of the votes. François-Xavier Bellamy’s LR list finished 2nd, with 14.7%.
Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, is a place steeped in history through its link with General de Gaulle, who lived at the Boisserie estate from 1934, first for vacations then permanently. He died there at the age of 80, in 1970, while writing his memoirs.
Every year, often during elections, politicians go to the general’s grave, from the right to the extreme right. This place has become the emblem of a sort of historical anointing. From Marine Le Pen to Valérie Pécresse when she was an LR presidential candidate, or even Eric Ciotti. Up to the President of the Republic, people flock to this historic village. We spoke with the various right-wing mayor of the Haut-Marne village, Pascal Babouot, who has been observing the comings and goings of the contenders since 2001, the date of his first election to town hall.
Pascal Babouot: For the moment, it is an extremely calm June 18 in an extremely busy current situation and a rather agitated political context. A few days later, on June 28, we have the Olympic Flame and three weeks the arrival of the 8th stage of the Tour de France. Obviously, there are also two additional rounds of elections when we are already saturated. The Senator and our departmental president must also be present, but there are no more deputies. Everyone has a lot of other concerns than coming. Generally, there are still a lot of anonymous private deposits.
This year, it is not an anniversary, but it is a date that marks Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. The traditional wreath laying is planned for the morning with a meditation at the Cross of Lorraine, including one from the President of the Republic laid by the prefect of Haute-Marne. In the evening, as since 1972, the villagers will meet at the foot of the cross of Lorraine, at night, for a reading of the Appeal of June 18, 1940 by a school child, as well as a speech from me and a minute of silence. Between 300 and 400 people are expected.
The extremes, both, are not welcome. I am amazed and overwhelmed to see these two extremes with so much power. To see in recent days the compassion with the behavior of La France Insoumise concerning the investitures of people implicated by the justice system. A party which has nothing to do with the other components of the left. And opposite a radical and racist extreme right, while not all 30% of our compatriots are. In 1940 we were under a regime of occupation and capitulation, today we are in a regime of compromise with the same dangers. Obviously, we are not busy in the same way, but there is a latent danger which is serious. Be careful. Previously, the objective of the country’s interest prevailed, but this is no longer the case.
