20 h. Didier Le Gac, the outgoing deputy, candidate of the presidential majority for the 2024 legislative elections, arrives in Tébéo, in Brest, this Sunday June 30, 2024, where he is invited for the electoral evening, among other elected officials or candidates. “I have the results of all the municipalities, except those of Brest”, where there are several offices in the third constituency of Finistère (rural Brest). “I am in the lead in 31 out of 32 municipalities. The second force is the National Rally (RN), and not the Popular Front. The voters told me they didn’t want this mess they’re making in the Assembly. Do you have the results for Brest? ” No not yet. He walks towards the stage.
20 h 15. On stage, Didier Le Gac insists, as during the campaign: “The Popular Front is an electoral alliance. They don’t agree on anything. This will last three weeks! Some left-wing voters will return to the central bloc: they do not want to be associated with the excesses of La France insoumise. Last year’s riots shocked people terribly. They say they want to be peaceful.”
20 h 55. Didier Le Gac temporarily leaves the set, checks his phone for congratulatory messages and the latest news. “There is 71.56% turnout in the constituency. It’s historic. I am delighted! The French have clearly understood what is at stake in this election.” However, he notes “the very high score, in all the communes, of the RN, which will be present for the first time in the second round.”
21 h 35. The candidate learns that he is clearly in the lead with nearly 39% of the vote ahead of Martine Donval (RN), nearly 28%, and Pierre Smolarz (NFP), almost 27%. Not having a campaign office, “like many candidates these days, especially since the deadline was very short this time after the announcement of the dissolution”, he leaves Tébéo and prepares to go and meet members of his camp in a bar in the city center. He then expects a three-way race.
I welcome the decision of Pierre Smolarz to withdraw his candidacy in the second round of these elections
“There is a far-right bloc that plays on fears. A far-left bloc that is just an electoral agreement. And a central bloc, moderate as Brittany has always been. Where cohesion is not an empty phrase between residents. I want to continue, from the morning of July 8, to work with all the driving forces of this constituency to move the country forward. I thank the voters who voted for me and invite them to vote again on Sunday or to use their proxy. I hope that this reflects my involvement on the ground and that it is recognition. In a three-way race, it is important to be in the lead to create momentum, but anything is possible!”
21 h 58. He was told that Pierre Smolarz, candidate of the New Popular Front, was withdrawing even though he could have appeared in the second round. The little party in the bar doesn’t last. Before 11 p.m., everyone left.
23 h 02. Didier Le Gac “welcomes Pierre Smolarz’s decision to withdraw his candidacy in the second round” of these elections. “Starting this evening, I call on all voters attached to our Republic and its values to mobilize around my candidacy for the second round.” The primary target, inevitably, has changed.
