To everyone’s surprise, a new candidate appeared on the electoral lists of Haute-Marne for the next legislative elections on June 30 and July 7. Aged 19 and registered without a label, who is Baptiste Gallet?
Nobody expected it. Sunday marked the end of registrations for candidates for the next legislative elections in Haute-Marne. Among the candidates more or less known to everyone, a new name has appeared: Baptiste Gallet. Aged 19, the latter lives in Chaumont and is studying Political Science in Lille. His substitute, Côme Pettazzoni, is studying STSCIEL (higher technician sections Cybersecurity Electronic Computers) in Thionville and is originally from Ageville. Friends for several years, they immediately had the idea of introducing themselves: “ Both of us thought about it but we didn’t dare ask the other if he wanted to be a candidate or a substitute. We said to ourselves that it was now or never to make things happen. », says Côme Pettazzoni, deputy of Baptiste Gallet.
A complete program
Although they cast their first vote less than two weeks ago, during the European elections, politics is not unknown to them. Registered “without label”, their vocation is to “democratize democracy and give people the taste to enjoy their duty as citizens“. Furthermore, the substitute explains: “ There is a growing distaste for politics. The idea is to show that being a citizen is not just about voting but also about getting involved. Everyone can do something to change current policy “. Thus, in the event of election, the candidate will give priority to the subject of interconnections between towns and villages by reestablishing certain bus lines. “ We are truly in pure rurality. To get around, people take the car and we want a more ecological approach », underlines Côme Pettazzoni. Subsequently, the latter wish to look into taking into account the blank vote, the creation of a citizens’ assembly and the strengthening of civic education at school. “ We may think that we are young and that we have no experience but I think that Baptiste is capable of handling this kind of thing. », justifies the substitute.
An express campaign
Not having had time to create a campaign account in the allotted time, it was difficult for them to make themselves known to the general public. Despite everything, the candidates hope to be able to create posters to put a face to their name and their commitments. “ It is extremely difficult for a small independent candidate to open a campaign account. We are lucky that the deadlines are short and that there are not many registrations », exclaims Côme. With a profession of faith written on Tuesday night, the two friends are working hard to carry out an express campaign. Beyond a candidacy for the legislative elections, this approach is also an opportunity for them to obtain an extraordinary experience by trying to follow the political path from A to Z.
Bastien Baehr
