This is an announcement that risks reshuffling the cards of the second round in the eighth constituency of Loire-Atlantique. The Ensemble candidate, Audrey Dufeu, announced this Tuesday at noon on France Bleu Loire Océan that she retire sa candidature, while she had said she would hold on last Sunday evening, after the announcement of the results of the first round.
No voting instructions
Coming in third place, behind the National Rally, represented by Gauthier Bouchet, and the candidate of La France Insoumise under the banner of the New Popular Front, Matthias Tavel, the former MP did not give any voting instructions. In a press release, she castigated “a climate of political violence in the constituency and harassment” from his view.
Audrey Dufeu continues and “deplores the capitulation of local elected officials who did not want to join the republican arc.” Xavier Perrin, elected PS mayor of Saint-Nazaire, and dissident candidate defeated in the first round, had called for a vote for Matthias Tavel in the wake of the first round to block the RN. An announcement supported by the socialist mayor of the city, David Samzun, who had left no doubt about his choice in the second round.
The issue of the distribution of votes in the second round
The first magistrate also reacted immediately: “I am relieved to learn of the courageous decision taken today by Ms Audrey Dufeu to withdraw her candidacy for the second round of the legislative elections. […] Whatever their differences, democrats of all stripes must stand together and work tirelessly to maintain social, civil and political peace,” David Samzun said in a statement.
Audrey Dufeu’s thousands of voters are being carefully scrutinized by the two candidates still in the running. “I appeal to his voters, do you want a Mélenchonist MP or a complete change of gear? launches Gauthier Bouchet, RN candidate. I can embody this possible break, a balanced, peaceful break.” It remains to be seen until Sunday what changes these many voices could bring.
