The first round of early legislative elections resulted in numerous three-way contests. Since then, some candidates have withdrawn to block the National Rally, while others have remained. Summary of the situation in Haute-Loire, Allier, Cantal and Puy-de-Dôme, before the second round on July 7, 2024.
Voters turned out in large numbers to vote on Sunday, June 30, 2024, for the first round of early legislative elections. Turnout was up in all four departments of Auvergne. In Allier, turnout was 68.8%, 71.9% for Cantal, 71.1% in Puy-de-Dôme. The best performer was Haute-Loire with 72.5% turnout. The main trend is a surge in the National Rally in the constituencies of Auvergne.
Another particularity is a significant number of three-way races. Just after the vote count, Haute-Loire had two three-way races in the first and second constituencies. Puy-de-Dôme had three (1st, 3rd and 4th constituencies). In Cantal, there was one three-way race (1st constituency) and two for Allier (2nd and 3rd constituencies).
But as the deadline for submitting applications for the second round approaches, elected officials are withdrawing. The aim is to block the National Rally by grouping voters towards a single candidate, instead of two.
Surprise! There are no more three-way races in Haute-Loire. In the first constituency, Celline Gacon (18.66%), candidate of the New Popular Front, withdrew in favor of the Republican Laurent Wauquiez, who came in first (36.80%), ahead of the RN candidate Alexandre Heuzey (34.18%).We must build this dam now, it’s obvious.“, explains Celline Gacon.
Same thing in the second constituency, André Chapaveirethe New Popular Front candidate (19.55%) withdrew in favor of the Republican Jean-Pierre Vigier, who came in first (38.69%) ahead of the RN candidate, Suzanne Fourets (32,08 %). “I still have to convince voters for Sunday, what matters to me is to roll up our sleeves to continue developing this constituency.” confided Jean-Pierre Vigier after the announcement of the first round of voting.
The three-way race is still maintained in the second constituency of Allier. The LR candidate Romain Lefebvre, who came in third place (19.67%), did not wish to withdraw in favor of the LFI-NFP candidate Louise Héritier, who came in second place (24.06%). As a reminder, the RN candidate, Jorys Bovet came in first with 34.33% of the votes. The Republican candidate justifies his decision in order to “to avoid a match between the RN and LFI“.
In the third constituency of Allier, it will ultimately be a duel between LR and RN. The New Popular Front candidate, Aline Jeudi, who came in third place (20.40%), withdrew just after the election was announced.I absolutely do not want a single one of our votes to go to the National Rally.“, justifies the candidate.
It thus favors the re-election of the Republican candidate Nicolas Ray who came first (40.05%), by just a few points ahead of the RN candidate, Rémy Queney (37.82%).I welcome his Republican decision to step down to create this Republican momentum.“, confided Nicolas Ray.
In Cantal, there is no longer a single three-way race. In the first constituency, NFP candidate Valérie Rueda withdrew (22.43%), to block the RN candidate, Dorothée Gallais (30.29%). Thus, Valérie Rueda favors the election of the ex-LR Divers Droite candidate Vincent Descoeur, who came first with 37.66% of the vote.
On the other hand, in Puy-de-Dôme, the situation is more complex. The department still has two three-way races. In the first constituency, the Horizon-Ensemble candidate, Hervé Prononce, who came in third place (24.08%), did not wish to withdraw in the face of Marianne Maximi, the LFI-NFP candidate, who led the vote (38.14%). The RN candidate, Louis Clément, for his part received 27.50% of the vote.
The situation is slightly different in the third constituency of Puy-de-Dôme. Modem-Ensemble candidate Laurence Vichnievsky came second (26.03%), behind Nicolas Bonnet, EELV-NFP candidate (31.72%). The candidate of the presidential majority did not announce a withdrawal. It will therefore be a three-way race with RN candidate Nadine Pers, who came third (25.93%).
Conversely, in the fourth constituency of Puy-de-Dome, it will be a duel between the RN and Modem-Ensemble. The LFI-NFP candidate, Valérie Goléo (26.63%) withdrew in favor of Delphine Lingemann (Modem-Ensemble), who came second with 27.38% of the vote. The objective is to block Benjamin Chalus, the National Rally candidate, who came first with 31.63% of the vote.
Valérie Goléo adds, in a message posted on her social networks, that she does not want to “neither a far-right MP in my constituency, nor a government led by Jordan Bardella at Matignon“.
The deadline for submitting applications for the second round is Tuesday, July 2, at 6 p.m.
Interview by Laurent Cluzel and Charline Collet, Pascal Franco / France 3 Auvergne
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