Several elected officials and representatives of Gard political parties spoke out this Monday, July 1, following the results of the first round of the legislative elections, where the RN was in the lead in all six constituencies.
The National Rally was therefore largely in the lead in the first round of these legislative elections on Sunday June 30 in the six constituencies of Gard, a result which provoked reactions among elected officials from Gard.
Denis Bouad, PS senator from Gard
“The situation is serious! The mobilization of the first round demonstrated that the French are well aware of the importance of the political moment we are experiencing. The decision of the President of the Republic to dissolve the National Assembly on the evening of the European elections has led our country into a perilous situation. Very clearly, next Sunday, there is a real risk of seeing the extreme right obtain an absolute majority in the National Assembly and therefore be able to lead the
France for the first time since liberation.
The fight against the extreme right, its xenophobic, reactionary and climate-sceptic project has always been at the heart of my political commitment. The values that I defend have led me to take responsibility each time the situation has required it, whether in 2002, 2017 or even in 2022, by voting for candidates whose political sensibilities I did not share. Despite our political differences, I call on all Democratic and Republican voters to cast their votes for the candidates best placed against the extreme right: Charles Menard (constituency 1), Sabine Oromi (constituency 3), Arnaud Bord (constituency 4), Michel Sala (constituency 5) and Nicolas Cadène (constituency 6).
Patrick Malavieille, president of the EPCC of Pont du Gard, PCF
“If we want to recreate an official art, let artists choose, control cultural creation and muzzle the press, then the choice is clear, it is the one proposed by Marine Le Pen. In the field of culture, the positions and proposals of the RN reveal its face: that of a xenophobic party, defender of a usurped national identity. Because beyond the solemn declarations on the greatness of France, each and every one must understand what the deep reality of the cultural project of the extreme right is.
First, by recalling the practice of its local elected officials. In the Gard Department, the representatives of the National Rally have constantly denounced cultural spending and have systematically voted against the culture budget.
They have never stopped fighting tooth and nail against our conception of a culture that is open to all, everywhere, implementing cultural rights, integrating gender equality, developing arts education in middle schools, and meeting the challenges of sustainable development and digital technology. So, yes, we must dare culture more than ever and save it from the clutches of the National Rally.
There are moments in history when the destiny of a country can change. We are there. This is why I invite artists, creators, heads of cultural institutions, women and men who love culture and universality, to block the candidates of the National Rally.”
Sybille Jannekeyn and Colin Gril co-secretaries of the Ecologists
“We give our full support to Charles Ménard and his substitute Fatima El Hadi, candidates in the best position to beat the Far Right in the 1st constituency of Gard. We ask Valérie Rouverand, who came in third place, to withdraw so as not to contribute to the National Rally coming to power.
In the name of our common republican values, all republican forces must mobilize and support Charles Ménard and Fatima El Hadi. The imminent danger of the extreme right coming to power on Sunday, July 7, demands from all of us a republican, democratic and humanist response without fail.
We also give our full support to Nicolas Cadène and his substitute Béatrice Leccia, the only Republican candidates present in the 6th constituency of Gard, and we salute the spirit of responsibility of Aurélien Colson, who came third and immediately withdrew. We call on you to vote for Nicolas Cadène and Béatrice Leccia, now the only bulwarks of the Republic to bring our humanist, democratic, ecological and social solidarity values to life.”
Republican Socialist Ecologist Group in the Department
“The day after the first round of early legislative elections, in the Gard as in our country, the situation is historic. The extreme right, which has only one dangerous project, could indeed win and lead France, a prospect to which republicans and humanists of all persuasions cannot resign themselves.
Beyond their deadly ideas, the elected representatives of the National Rally have no vision for our territory, which they know little about, as we see at each departmental assembly with their totally ideological votes and against improving the lives of the people of Gard. Also, in responsibility for the situation, for the Republic, human progress and ecology, the departmental councillors of the Republican, Socialist and Ecologist group call on the people of Gard to vote for: Arnaud Bord (4th constituency), Nicolas Cadène (6th constituency), Charles Menard (1st constituency), Sabine Oromi (3rd constituency), Michel Sala (5th constituency).”
