With 50.46% of the votes in the first round of the early legislative elections, RN candidate Olivier Dubois emerged as the big winner of the vote in Saint-Rémy-sur-Avre. A victory on conquered ground.
Far from the hubbub of the legislative elections, calm reigns in the heart of the village of Saint-Rémy-sur-Avre, the day after the first round of elections on Sunday, June 30, 2024. The few passers-by enter and leave the PMU, one of the only stores open this Monday, July 1.
To talk about the results of the previous day’s vote, the mines are not always welcoming. Some refuse to answer because “it’s their business”. Others are more confused:
“The legislative elections? What’s that again? Oh, I don’t know, I didn’t vote, I never vote.”
Resident of Saint-Rémy-sur-Avre (empty)
However, 1,547 residents of Reims went to the polls on Sunday, out of some 2,500 registered. And 50.46% of them voted for Olivier Dubois, the candidate of the National Rally (RN).
At the counter, Véronique puts away her notebook. This 60-year-old retiree is visiting her parents in the village.
“No need to look, I know it’s the RN who wins. Because here, it’s average France, the one who works, who pays taxes and who supports those who do nothing. »
Veronique, retired (60 ans)
A resident of Val-d’Oise, she explains that she observes the problems of “insecurity, purchasing power, all that.” And adds: “It’s not because we are protected here that we don’t fear that it will come?!”
At the RN Sunday evening, contained joy despite the surge
For her, there is no question of talking about racism to explain the results of the legislative elections. Looking closely at the managers of the PMU, she emphasizes that Saint-Rémy welcomes people “of many foreign origins, who are very well integrated, and that does not pose a problem”.
Beside him, his father agrees before adding: “It’s not like all these immigrants who should be deported… I’m ashamed to say that I live in France! »
A little afraid that “it’s the circus”
A little further on, Bruno and Joël are sitting around a drink. To explain their village’s vote in the legislative elections, the words are the same: insecurity, cost of living, disappointment… Bruno summarizes:
“We, the average people, are at the end of our rope. The voters are fed up, they voted left, right, everywhere. So some people are saying: the RN, why not??”
Bruno, retired worker (66 ans)
They still fear the consequences of a government led by Jordan Bardella. “I’m afraid that it will disturb the atmosphere, that there will be lots of demonstrations and that it will be a circus,” explains Joël.
Inès has never had a contract in her village
Outside, Inès, 27, attributes the RN’s results to the village’s high average age. With her son in her hand, the dance teacher shrugs:
“We are mixed race, but it doesn’t affect us too much because people know us. For newcomers, it can be more difficult… But hey, I’ve been a facilitator for eight years and I’ve never had a contract here, maybe it’s not by chance”
Inès, dance teacher and host (27 ans)
In the village, the National Rally has been voting for several years now.
The mayor of Saint-Rémy-sur-Avre analyses the reasons for the RN vote
Beyond the enthusiastic welcome given to Marine Le Pen during her campaign for the second round of the 2022 presidential elections, since 2020 residents have been accustomed to an RN municipal councilor who is on the rise, Aleksandar Nikolic, elected deputy European.
Gabrielle Richard
