Legislative elections in the Landes: the ambitious RN, a Darrieussecq duel

Are we going to witness a political earthquake, on the evening of Sunday June 30, in the first constituency of Landes? In the hands of the presidential majority through former minister Geneviève Darrieussecq (MoDem) since 2017, this constituency (one of the largest in France in terms of surface area) has been the subject of all speculation since June 9 and the results of the Europeans, where the National Rally collected almost 33% of the votes.

A strong signal marking an increasingly important anchoring of the extreme right. The RN thus garnered 8,293 additional votes compared to the 2022 legislative elections, for a total of 19,534.

Undeniably, Geneviève Darrieussecq (although on her lands in Mons, where she was mayor between 2008 and 2017) seems weakened. Not to say in great difficulty. Only 14.5% of the votes for Ensemble during the Europeans. Nearly 10,000 votes evaporated between this last election and that of the first round of legislative elections in 2022 (18,633 votes in 2022 compared to 8,656 votes on June 9).

After having suffered the blow of the dissolution pronounced by the President of the Republic, the one who was Secretary of State then Minister Delegate between 2017 and 2023, returned to combat, alongside her deputy Fabien Lainé, “because the situation is very serious for our democracy, for our country.”

Darrieussecq loyal to Macron

For ten days, she has been surveying the length and breadth of the territory to “carry the voices of republican values”. She continues: “The Republic is in danger and everyone continues to do their electoral cooking to keep a few positions. And this, by basing ourselves on these values. The only thing I fear is the arrival of extremes in France. We can blame the President of the Republic for things, but we can say nothing about Republican values. The hand is given to the voters,” she continues.

But, during this express campaign, she must endeavor to get rid of the rejection of Emmanuel Macron, to whom she remains faithful. “I am in no way denying what was done,” she assures. At the start of the campaign, she received the support of François Bayrou. Not sure that this will be enough to tip the scales in the right direction, especially since the only votes collected by Ensemble in the European elections will not be enough for the outgoing MP to remain in the second round.

The Monto-Montois context doesn’t help anything, either, for Geneviève Darrieussecq. Despite being a supporter of Horizons (the party of Édouard Philippe), the mayor of Mont-de-Marsan Charles Dayot has still not called to vote for the woman who has become his rival. Asked about this a week ago, he simply declared “this is not the time, I am focused on my municipal council”. Useful clarification: this question was asked to him at the end of the session. Chicayas whose impact is difficult to measure at the polls but which fuel a fear of not being in the second round.

The left bets on Lafargue

As two years ago, the left presents itself united under the banner of the New Popular Front. This time, the left-wing parties have focused on civil society with Marie-Laure Lafargue. During a meeting in Mont-de-Marsan, in front of more than 200 people, the former president of Basket Landes made some confidences about this candidacy. “They told me, Marie-Laure, now is the time. I am proud to be on the left, and I fight forcefully against the disastrous ideas of the RN. »

The regional councilor of Nouvelle-Aquitaine – with her partner Frédéric Pomarez, the mayor of Mimizan – quickly learned the codes of an electoral campaign. Door to door visits, company visits and a few meetings.

“I was thus able to measure this suffering and all the problems of this constituency. We can see the consequences of President Macron’s disastrous policy,” she continues, drawing a parallel with Geneviève Darrieussecq, designated as the main opponent, knowing that it is undoubtedly the fight for second place behind the RN which is taking place. plays between the two women.

A discreet, even absent, RN

Precisely, at the RN, it is rather the card of great discretion. No panic and a campaign at the minimum not to say ghostly. No public meeting, posters where the face of the candidate Véronique Fossey, retired living in Parentis-en-Born, does not appear.

The far right is banking on the aura of its national leaders. And it is not the candidacy of Isabelle Henaff (for Reconquête) which thwarts the ambition of the RN to complete this first round in a position of strength. He wants to increase his presence, banking in particular on his big scores in the north of the department, in Biscarrosse, Parentis-en-Born or Sanguinet.

Finally, as at the national level, participation will be greater. “It’s not just our camp that will benefit,” said a few socialist elected officials during their candidate’s meeting. This additional mobilization will seal the June 30 scenario by outlining the contours of a probable triangular pattern. Unless there is a very big surprise in the first round…

This Thursday, June 26, the three candidates of the New Popular Front are holding a joint meeting in Morcenx-la-Nouvelle at the Salle du Maroc (7 p.m.). Geneviève Darrieussecq will be in a public meeting in Mont-de-Marsan at the Château de Nahuques (7:30 p.m.).

Landmarks

The candidates. Dominique Jarreau (Various center), Marie-Laure Lafargue (New Popular Front), Véronique Fossey (National Rally), Geneviève Darrieussecq (Together!), Degny Hermann Amessan (Various center), Fabienne Chrit (Les Républicains), Isabelle Henaff (Reconquest !), Jean-Claude Bon (Far left).
2022 results. During the second round (49.49% abstention). Geneviève Darrieussecq (Ensemble) was elected with 55.81% against Guy de Barberac (Nupes, 44.19%). In the first round (participation of 52.99%) the former minister came well ahead with 33.39% ahead of Guy de Barbeyrac (22.95%) and the RN candidate Michel Dufay (20.15%). A score which did not allow the latter to remain in the second round, not having reached 12.5% ​​of those registered. Followed by Marie-Christine Arrambat for the Republicans (6.30%), Sébastien Cazaubon (Various center, 5.49%), Daniel Large (Various Left, 4.09%), Stéphane David (Reconquest – 3.94%), Jwanakan Dobat (Ecologists, 1.12%), Laurent Martin (Sovereignist Right – 0.88%), Jean-Claude Bon (Various extreme left, 0.86%), Jean-Jacques Dubreuil (Regionalists, 0.84%) .