Activists, members, office members and candidates from Puy-de-Dôme in the legislative elections gathered in Pont-du-Château to experience this first round evening together. Atmosphere.
There were nearly twenty supporters, activists, members of the office and candidates of the Puy-de-Dôme National Rally, who met from 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, in a bar-restaurant in Pont-du-Château, to experience this election evening together.
A few seconds before the announcement of the national results, Isabelle Dupré, candidate for the second constituency, crosses her fingers in front of the television screen. Applause follows. Smiles are on everyone’s faces. “How much is 28%,” breathes this activist when faced with the results of the New Popular Front.
“I’m emotional,” says Isabelle Dupré. New applause as we listen to the first reactions of Marine Le Pen, elected in the first round in Pas-de-Calais. And yet new salvos when their local candidate enters the France 3 set. “How pretentious is that one! She has a melon!”, says an activist when the outgoing MP, Laurence Vichnievsky, Ensemble candidate, speaks.
Substitute candidate at 18 years old
Black t-shirt, red sleeveless down jacket, Aurélien Briquet is the youngest supporter of the group. At 18, he voted for the first time on June 9. He has been a member of the RN since August 2022, a party in which he began campaigning at the beginning of 2023. He recognizes himself in this party as much on “the social as the economic program, purchasing power, the end of immigration… It’s important that young people mobilize for their future, the future of their children if they have any.”
Regarding the results, he can only be pleased:
The polls indicated that and it shows a big evolution. In 2021, there were eight deputies… We went to more than 200 according to projections, it’s really impressive. It revives the hope that some have lost.
Purchasing power
During the legislative elections, this first year history student pulled and will be mobilized again between the two rounds. He is the deputy of Brigitte Carletto, in the fifth constituency. If he is elected, purchasing power will be one of his first subjects, “I think it is the first concern, a priority which marks a lot”. Another major issue: “The end of judicial laxity, particularly in Puy-de-Dôme”.
In his family, he is the only one who is politically involved. Compared to his relatives, “we debate, we talk about it, my parents are not at the point of disowning me. We don’t necessarily agree on everything, but that’s democracy.”
Former UMP member
Watching the results closely, Marie-France (not her real name), 65, lives for politics:
I am very happy, hoping that it will be a little higher in the second round. It is deserved. It is the reflection of all French people, young and old, executives, workers…
She continues: “Purchasing power is one thing, but for many, it is insecurity that dominates I think”. Marie-France is an activist and member of the RN for 14 years. She was in the UMP before, which she should have left much earlier, she regrets. “I was loyal, but when I don’t find my convictions… I left the UMP because my convictions were no longer in line”.
“Marine first”
These results, “it’s a hope because right now, I feel in danger. I’m in Clermont, I don’t recognize my city anymore”. Participating in this election night is above all for her to show respect for those who fought. “We fight for our convictions. We have France in our guts! I’m for everyone, but let’s respect us.” And for her, it’s “Marine first. Even if Jordan is great, he has a maturity at only 28 years old… But for me, it’s first and foremost those who dig the ground. All day long I’m in politics: I have books, notebooks on politics. I work on it”, says the retiree. In her family, we are all right-wing. She is the only one in the RN.
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At the end of the evening, the applause started again with renewed vigor at the arrival of Brigitte Carletto, Louis Clément and then Benjamin Chalus. “Five deputies in Puy-de-Dôme, that’s historic.” As of this Monday, the campaign will resume with renewed vigor: “Everything has to be finished,” concludes Benjamin Chalus. “We don’t have a permanent office yet, but it won’t be long, we’re on the rise,” adds Louis Clément.
Text: Gaëlle Chazal
Photos : Richard Brunel
