The outgoing MP (Ensemble) for the 1st constituency, third after the first round, explains the reasons for her withdrawal, announced on Tuesday evening, July 2, and expresses her concern for the future.
You have just announced that you will not take part in the second round of the legislative elections. What is your state of mind?
I’m fine, I assure you. Politics is hard when you really commit yourself… But my state of mind, like that of my deputy Philippe Sorez, has been quite clear since Sunday. I am a minister even though I don’t have a baccalaureate and I come from a working-class neighborhood. I have been incredibly lucky. It is probably more difficult for my voters and my activists. Many did not want me to step down.
I am against extremes.
Why did you wait two days to make this announcement?
First, because there was no urgency. The deadline for submitting applications was set for this Tuesday, 6 p.m. Then, because, faced with the violent reactions I was the target of (read below)I preferred to take a step back. Finally – and above all – because I expected to have a discussion with the candidate who came second and with the mayor of Montpellier who supports him. But no phone call. With this attitude, they are neglecting the 13,000 people who voted for me! I believe that at the Montpellier city hall, they chose the wrong opponent by making me the woman to be taken down. Especially when you support an LFI candidate elected in the first round…
Would you have liked to negotiate with Jean-Louis Roumégas?
I received a text message after the announcement of my withdrawal, I would have preferred a meeting. I do not know what decisions Jean-Louis Roumégas will make tomorrow, if he becomes a member of parliament with the support of a coalition that includes La France Insoumise. I am against the extremes.
Work pays less than wedding rings
The message posted on your social networks did not include any voting instructions…
I have 13,000 people who supported me, I don’t know who they will vote for on Sunday. And it’s not up to me to tell them. They know me, they know my values, they heard my speech during the campaign. I am and I remain committed to the side of the President of the Republic. When I was told in 2017 that I had to go, I went. In 2022, I was able to see that the work done as an MP had paid off. In 2024, despite the difficult context, I didn’t hide. But today, work no longer pays off. In any case, less than unnatural alliances or videos on TikTok. I regret it and I worry about what’s next.
How do you explain the results of the first round, in the first constituency?
I repeat, we are voting today for labels, and the President’s has been damaged. When I see the mobilization of my deputy on crucial issues like water, mine in support of my territory, alongside the inhabitants as in Palavas when it was necessary to save classes or request security reinforcements… It’s hard.
Do you regret the President’s decision to dissolve the assembly?
It would be too easy. I have no regrets. Emmanuel Macron made a decision as President of the Republic, and I have no reason to be ashamed of what we did together.
To continue to serve my country, in one way or another
Did Emmanuel Macron play a role in your withdrawal?
We’ve been talking since Sunday, but he hasn’t asked me anything. It’s my decision.
What will the future look like for you?
I am still Secretary of State. I will continue to work and I will be in the Council of Ministers tomorrow. We are working! And we will assume this role until a new government is formed. Then? I will have three months of compensation ahead of me, no mutual or social security, no unemployment… I will have to find work. That’s normal, politics is something apart and I have no regrets. Above all, I will have to sit down and figure out how I can continue to serve my country, in one way or another.
“Serious things happened”: candidate denounces insults and threats
In the message published on the X network, Patricia Miralles indicates that she was the victim of insults. “I’ve been called a dirty Zionist, I’ve been told that I stink of Macronism, and much worse…”the candidate explains. She specifies: “Serious things have happened. My phone number and my personal email have been released, and I have received over 5,000 messages from strangers. My loved ones have been threatened on social media. This has to stop. Otherwise, no one will want to get involved in politics anymore.”
