MONDAY POLITICAL INTERVIEW. Ecological and social crises, rise of the far right, alliances within the left: so many challenges to which Europe Écologie Les Verts must respond in Gard. Béatrice Leccia, spokesperson for EELV in the department, sets out the party's local priorities in the face of environmental issues, the debates on the artificialization of land, and the ambitions of environmentalists for the next electoral deadlines.
A reaction to the recent floods in Valencia, Spain? What is your analysis of these events?
It's terrible. We think first of the victims. These floods are reminiscent of the events in Nîmes in 1988, but the number of victims here is dramatic. Where the media talk about climate disasters, we see a primarily human catastrophe: these events – more intense and frequent than before – are linked to climate change, the result of human activity. These heavy rains and runoff problems come from the excessive artificialization of soils, proof that the absence of an ecological policy amplifies these phenomena. We say it often, but it happens much more quickly and seriously than expected. We are experiencing the worst scenarios mentioned by IPCC scientists.
Locally now, what do you think are the priority challenges for Gard in terms of climate resilience and ecological adaptation? Where should efforts be focused first?
Following the example of Valencia, we must stop artificialization to let the water flow naturally. Elected officials often criticize ZAN (Zero Net Artificialization), but it is useless to complain when the water can no longer drain. This is common sense: we must allow the natural cycle of water. Other actions are also necessary: restoring the banks of watercourses, for example. If efforts are made, they remain insufficient. The western bypass of Nîmes clearly shows this tendency to concrete more, instead of limiting the artificialization of land and automobile pollution. This type of infrastructure project is contrary to current ecological imperatives.
Another local topic: seven new destinations were recently unveiled from Nîmes airport (Geneva, Barcelona, Nice, etc.). What is your view on this announcement which divides and causes debate?
Europe Ecology The Greens reacted by affirming that we must go beyond the law. The government measure, which prohibits journeys of less than 2.5 hours if an alternative exists, is based on a good principle. A Nîmes-Nice line, for example, is unimaginable when there is a train. It is not a question of eliminating the plane, but of favoring alternatives. What is shocking is that these lines are subsidized by public funds, which goes completely against a policy of reducing emissions. On the contrary, we should tax this transport more.
The main argument is that of the attractiveness of the territory and the opening of the Gard capital towards international hubs… Are these arguments that do not hold water?
They don't hold up when there are alternatives. No one is stopping tourism or business travel, but if alternative means of transportation are available, they should be prioritized. We must invest in these modes of transport.
Concerning the last legislative elections, your candidacy for the 6th constituency was replaced by that of Nicolas Cadène. How was this decision made and what does this mean for EELV in Gard?
You know, I agreed to be Nicolas Cadène's deputy because the stakes were high. I was not mistaken and we clearly saw this in the light of the results of the National Rally in the department. From the start, I said I did not condone what happened. Local activists had proposed my candidacy, validated nationally, then Nicolas Cadène exerted pressure and was validated as the opening candidate. This did not please, obviously, because the local activists were not heard.
Nicolas Cadène also made a request to join EELV, a membership request rejected by the party, how do you explain this?
Yes, he asked to join EELV, but this was refused, which is rare. You know, Nicolas Cadène is a good person, but he is not particularly… green. His nomination as opening candidate came from the national level, but his membership was rejected at the regional level, then validated by the national level. This shows the desire of local activists to favor actors engaged on the ground. I prefer that Nicolas Cadène does not become the central subject. I campaigned for environmentalists, not for him. What matters to me above all is to highlight environmental issues, much more than personal quarrels, which, in my opinion, do not interest many people.
Concerning the last legislative elections, Gard experienced a real shift with the RN winning the six constituencies. How do you explain this rise in power in the department and what elements, according to you, favor this support for the RN in the Gard?
The RN is based on distress. Distress fueled by high inflation. People are no longer coping or have the impression of coping less than before and the RN makes them believe that they have the solution. All our work therefore consists of deconstructing the far-right discourse, pointing out the contradictions and errors of the RN.
Faced with this success of the RN, how does EELV intend to oppose and propose an alternative that can speak to the voters of this territory? What messages should we put forward to counter this dynamic?
What we want to show is that the program that we carry, individually and within the framework of the New Popular Front (NFP), allows and promises better purchasing power and quite simply allows people to live better. The program we carry allows us to live better on this planet: live in harmony with our environment, be in better health by fighting against pollution. Often we, environmentalists, are angry because things are not going fast enough, but we try to channel this anger and these concerns to convey our messages: it is ecological inaction which is punitive and not the other way around. . In this context, we work on many themes: water pollution for example, particularly at the local level where we collaborate with the Générations Futures association.
A current topic in light of the closure of the Solvay factory in Salindres…
We are in fact in full support of the employees. It's really symptomatic of this society: as soon as they know that a country is going to start taking more restrictive measures regarding pollution, they relocate to a less strict country…
You mentioned the New Popular Front which brings together environmentalists with other left-wing parties, but ideological and political differences persist. How do environmentalists feel within this coalition today?
First of all, let us remember that Marine Tondelier is one of the builders of the New Popular Front. She was extremely present in its creation and the design of its program. It is therefore of course still relevant, and we see it in the light of the budget vote. The NFP is united to present amendments and present what our budget would have been if Emmanuel Macron had chosen Lucie Castets as Prime Minister. In short, today in the National Assembly, we clearly demonstrate our union.
Indeed, only major divergences persist. This is particularly the case regarding nuclear power which, in Gard, is a sector of prime importance.
The fight against nuclear power is indeed an essential fight for environmentalists. We know that this is not shared by the whole of the NFP, but we all know that it is essential to deploy renewable energy. Given the time needed to build new reactors – and the communists admit this – it is essential to deploy new sources of energy. We therefore all agree on the need for an energy mix.
A word now on the next electoral events. What role does EELV plan to play in view of the next municipal elections in 2026? Do you plan to present independent lists, to create local alliances?
Look, we were talking about NFP on a national scale; suffice to say that on a local scale, it also works very well. We saw it during the legislative elections. We are already working together and it is obvious that we will be there and that we will win together, the whole left united. We will therefore in fact have common lists in which environmentalists will have their full share.
What then are the main axes that EELV wishes to promote in the Gard municipalities? What topics will be a priority for you in this campaign?
The biggest topic at the moment in the department is the western bypass of Nîmes, it seems to me. The theme of transport will obviously be at the center of these municipal elections. As one of the main sectors emitting greenhouse gases, it is a central subject. There is also the question of water and sanitation: we want companies to stop polluting upstream, because ultimately, it is individuals who pay the bill.
On a daily basis, do you believe that elected officials and environmental leaders are sufficiently heard in the Gard department?
No, absolutely not. At the departmental council, for example, we only have one advisor, Dominique Andrieu-Bonnet. She does her best, but she is alone in an assembly of 46 advisors. The departmental elections are not happening right away, but that's part of the challenges, that's for sure.
We often hear the expression “punitive ecology”. As if ecology were only a source of constraints. Should we not call into question within the party the way in which we should talk about ecology today?
The expression punitive ecology is clearly the language of our adversaries. It is precisely the absence of ecology that is punitive. We, on the contrary, are for an ecology that repairs, that improves people's lives…
A reaction to the recent election of Donald Trump in the United States?
This is extremely worrying. At the head of the United States is therefore one of the greatest climate skeptics… It is a disaster for ecology and for the climate, certainly, but not only… for peace as well. We think of Ukraine or Gaza, I also think of the dangers for youth, the rights of women and minorities. It’s worrying…
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