She is not leaving. On Sunday evening, Anne Gallo, candidate of the left, was waiting for the final results to decide whether or not she would continue in the second round. With 28.24% and ranking 2nd, she was automatically qualified. The RN candidate, Joseph Martin, also, having well over 12.5% of registered voters.
Our democracy must not be put at risk.
Finally, the decision was made on Monday around 5:30 p.m., after various meetings with the mayors who supported her, local NFP party leaders and the campaign team. In a press release, Anne Gallo stated: “My conviction is that we cannot compromise with the ideas of the extreme right, against which we must send a message of total firmness. We must not put our democracy at risk. With this in mind, I have chosen not to maintain my candidacy in the second round. It is obviously heartbreaking. But the election of a far-right MP would be worse: for me it would be an unforgivable failure. Responsibly, I therefore call on all voters to block the National Rally by using Anne Le Hénanff’s ballot paper.”
A national issue
At this announcement, some left-wing activists did not hide their anger, believing that Anne Le Hénanff’s lead put the constituency out of reach for the RN. “The issue is national,” argues Simon Uzenat, leader of the Morbihan socialists. “Who can predict with certainty what will happen on July 7? The left is taking its responsibilities in the face of the extreme right. The hand must not tremble.” A position shared by the leaders of the local left in the face of the gravity of the moment.
An unprecedented duel
On Sunday, voters in the Vannes constituency will therefore have the choice between Anne Le Hénanff (Horizons) and Joseph Martin (RN). The outgoing MP welcomes her rival’s withdrawal. “Anne Gallo chooses republican values for the territory and embodies the one who blocks the RN. A sensible, pragmatic choice.” Will Anne Le Hénanff feel a moral duty towards left-wing voters as some hope? Joseph Martin believes that “Anne Gallo does what she wants in her soul and conscience. It is not up to me to judge her decision, but I think that the result will turn against them.”
Faced with this completely unprecedented duel for the Vannes constituency, the Popular Front wants to concretize a republican front. How will the voters understand it? After the record turnout on Sunday, that of July 7 will provide part of the answer.
