A member of the Macronist party in the region, Patrick Vignal believes that he is no longer able to win the second round of the legislative elections and calls for “not giving a single vote to the RN”. A page is turning for the former socialist, elected in the constituency since 2012.
Patrick Vignal is withdrawing from the race for the National Assembly. Having come 3rd on Sunday evening in the 9th constituency of Hérault with 25% of the vote behind LR-RN Charles Alloncle (36.43%) and Insoumise Nadia Belaouni (29.27%), the outgoing Renaissance MP believes that he is no longer able to turn the tables in the second round. “I received numerous calls, including from the President of the Republic, to ask me not to abdicate, that victory was possible. But with 2,500 votes behind, the match is over”analyzes the one who has been elected since 2012.
“It’s not a wave, it’s a breaking wave”
Patrick Vignal gives a clear interpretation of this result: “It’s not a wave, it’s a breaking wave. I got back on a tatami (he is a judoka, editor’s note), but we knew, since the European elections, that there are today two sacred blocs: on one side, the one around the National Rally, on the other the Left Front. They (the left) have managed to come together again, which we, Macronie, have not been able to do”, he said, clearly describing “a Macron disengagement”. “It’s the game of democracy, so it’s normal for me to put on the suit and tie,” he adds, noting in passing that his personal equation allowed him to do a little better than most of his fellow MPs.
“Neither Bardella, nor Mélenchon Prime Minister”
For the second round, Patrick Vignal wants to be just as clear: “JI don’t want there to be just one voice for the RN. My mentor was called Georges Frêche and he always fought the National Front. I owe him that, because I owe him everything”he said. This is not, however, a strong message to call for a vote for his rival Insoumise of the New Popular Front Nadia Belaouni. “Things would have been simpler if I had had in front of me, like Laurence Cristol (on the 3rd constituency) or Patricia Mirallès (on the 1st district) a socialist or ecologist candidate. I am very uncomfortable with a part of the Insoumis and I do not want either Jordan Bardella or Jean-Luc Mélenchon as Prime Minister.” However, he calls on his voters to “go vote”.
“Yes, I will go back”
The one who has also distinguished himself by his media activism in recent years hopes, in the future, to be able to contribute to rebuilding a central bloc, more left-leaning. “I regret today not having tried to weigh more.” What if Emmanuel Macron dissolves the National Assembly again in a year? “Yes, I will go back, because I like it.”he concluded.
