Bazaar, chaos, storm… When it comes to describing the current political crisis, the LR candidates from Seine-Saint-Denis do not skimp on the lexicon. Despite a difficult context: a rushed campaign, a divided party from which a large number of voters turned away, in the last elections, they nevertheless insisted on campaigning. In a department where the Republicans lost their footing in 2022, after the defeat of Alain Ramadier in the 10th district, the challenge remains immense. However, Franck Yonboue wants to believe it. “People are starting to understand that we need a debate between Republican parties. I have very good feedback from the field. So, barring a thunderclap, I’m thinking of moving on to the second round“, affirms the confident LR candidate, who does not hesitate to castigate the “extremes that lead the country into chaos“.
In the 8th constituency which includes the towns of Rosny-sous-Bois, Gagny and Villemomble, Franck Yonboue wants to take over from Patrick Calmejane, former mayor of Villemomble (2001-2019), who gave him his support and of whom he was the former MP (2007-2012). Like Alain Ramadier, who was unable to respond to our requests, and who, from June 10, put forward a local candidacy, as elected representative of Aulnay-sous-Bois and with the support of the president of LR in 93, Philippe Dallier.
Not to be a figurehead, that is the key word guiding the 7 LR candidates in Seine-Saint-Denis, present in the twelve constituencies.
Republican candidates in Seine-Saint-Denis
| 1st district | Épinay-sur-Seine, Ile-Saint-Denis, South of Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen | François Péguillet |
| 2nd district | Pierrefitte, Saint-Denis North-East, Villetaneuse | Louis-Auxile Maillard |
| 3rd district | Gournay-sur-Marne, Neuilly-Plaisance, Neuilly-sur-Marne, Noisy-le-Grand | No candidate against Maxence Buttey (Various right) |
| 4th constituency | Le Blanc-Mesnil, La Courneuve, Dugny, Stains | Micaël Vaz |
| 5th district | Bobigny, Le Bourget, Drancy | No candidate to face Aude Lagarde (UDI) |
| 6th district | Aubervilliers, Pantin | No candidate against Nathalie Sack (UDI) |
| 7th constituency | Bagnolet, Montreuil | No candidate against Antoine Toche (Various right) |
| 8th constituency | Gagny, Rosny-sous-Bois, Villemomble | Franck Yonboue |
| 9th constituency | Bondy North-West, Les Lilas, Le Pré-Saint-Gervais, Noisy-le-Sec, Romainville | Robenson Pierre |
| 10th district | Aulnay-sous-Bois, Bondy South-East, Les Pavillons-sous-Bois | Alain Ramadier |
| 11th district | Sevran, Tremblay-en-France, Villepinte | Max Maran |
| 12th district | Clichy, Coubron, Livry-Gargan, Montfermeil, Le Raincy, Vaujours | No candidate against Xavier Lemoine (Various right) |
“A third way which cannot be that of the presidential majority”
“I have the deep conviction that in such troubled times, it is important to offer a space for democratic expression, not Ciottiste, so that our voters do not find themselves orphaned. This is the meaning of my candidacy.” explains Robenson Pierre, candidate for the 9th district. Face “to the new and old front“, which he puts back to back, he intends to propose a third way”which cannot be that of the presidential majority. She’s the one who brought us here. She’s part of the problem“.
For this candidate “ground” and proximity, which had already presented itself in 2022, the third way must be “Gaullist and Republican“. Similarities between the last legislative elections and today: Robenson Pierre finds himself once again facing Aurelie Trouvé, the candidate of the New Popular Front, the left-wing alliance which, since the dissolution of the National Assembly, has brought together LFI, the PS, EELV, the PCF and the NPA.
Aim for the long term
For his part, Louis-Auxile Maillard is experimenting with his first political campaign, in the 2nd constituency (Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, Saint-Denis Nord-Est, Villetaneuse). “I want to show the locals what I really am, I don’t need a shirt or a jacket (…) people are fed up with suits or ties.” He was an assessor at the Saint-Denis polling station on June 9, when he learned of the announcement of the dissolution. Sinaa Thabet, the LR candidate in the constituency in 2022, then offered to take her place. “I called the president of the Republicans of 93 to tell him that I was available and I learned what it was like to write a profession of faith.” he confides.
But Louis-Auxile Maillard is looking to the longer term.It will certainly be more interesting in three years, in the next legislative elections, because having been a candidate once, shows that you are not a parachute“, he comments. For his part, Robenson Pierre adds: “It might be wise to take care of this election now and we’ll see later, but I’m not saying I’m not thinking about it.“.
“My first wish is that we win a few seats.“, insists Franck Yonboue. Beyond the legislative elections, the 39-year-old candidate intends “participate in the unity of your political family“. Before adding, reassuringly: “we have already gone through ups and downs, I am thinking of the RPR and the UMP in particular, but each time, we have been able to restore order and get back on our backbone.”
Fight against “the extremes“
In the absence of a second round, the three candidates do not intend to give their voters any voting instructions. However, all three of them align themselves with the idea of fighting against “the extremes“and protect the way”republican“Between RN and renaissance, Louis-Auxile Maillard will vote for the presidential majority, but it will be “The death in the soul” he says regretfully.
Written by: Emmanuelle Milon and Charles Henry
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