In recent years, the Sainte-Catherine de Vesoul fair, a centuries-old institution if ever there was one, has become a formidable communication medium for the National Rally. From Marine Le Pen who took a crowd bath there, to Jordan Bardella this Monday, the event is an essential “selfie machine”, which gives credence to the idea that the far-right party has conquered the territories rural areas, and the hearts of those who live there. Thus, RN officials are taking full advantage, in the Haut-Saône prefecture, of a very favorable reception, photos of which are immediately shared on thousands of social network accounts.
“Jordan Bardella goes where he wants, and so do I”
Was it not to leave this privilege to his adversaries that Mayor Alain Chrétien invited Edouard Philippe, the president of his party, Horizons, to come and tour the fair this year? The two men deny it. The first recalls that he is originally from the department, and that he has experienced rural life on a daily basis for a long time, particularly in his commune of Vesoul, which he calls “the largest village in Haute-Saône”. The second, a candidate already declared for the presidential election, explains that for three years, he has been traveling the territories, not to increase the number of selfies, “but to listen to what the inhabitants say, learn from them, and nourish the ambitious project » that he thinks he has for France. “Jordan Bardella goes where he wants, and so do I,” he sums up.
And it happens, like this Monday, that it is in the same place. With fundamentally different styles, starting with the outfit. The former Prime Minister opted for a turtleneck, a very “casual” elbow-padded jacket and jeans, for a rather relaxed look. The unfortunate suitor to Matignon had chosen his usual navy blue suit and tie, stricter, but perhaps more becoming in the photos… A suit from which the young president of the RN quickly “fell off” the jacket, splashed with an egg sent from the crowd as soon as he got out of his official car.
54 kg the two pigs
But obviously, it was in their way of walking around the fair that the differences between the two personalities were most expressed. Edouard Philippe walking leisurely under the guidance of Alain Chrétien, posing here in a waffle stand, there chatting at length with the president of the CCI Jean-Luc Quivogne, or with a business leader who is also a horse breeder, Claude Marconot. Further on, the boss of Horizons still had to meet representatives of the agricultural world, including those of the FDSEA, who questioned him on Mercosur, this free trade agreement which crystallizes their concerns.
The former Prime Minister also had to endure some rather “cash” remarks. Like that of this resident who criticized him for the introduction of 80 km/h. “You made France slow down by 10 km/h! » he accused somewhat enigmatically. Another unfiltered question, this time from Philippe Auger, Haute-Saône breeder of Charolais cows. “How did you manage to put up with the other imposter for three years? » he asked, pointing out, without naming him, President Emmanuel Macron. The former head of government only gave him an embarrassed smile for any response… A visit, in the end, very “old-fashioned”, which ended with some prize giving to the winners of agricultural competitions and to the Catherinettes , and by the no less traditional weighing of the two pigs on sight.
A smile for every selfie
By contrast, the crowd gathered two hours later around Jordan Bardella throughout his route had something to decide. An enthusiasm sometimes bordering on hysteria, especially among young people, drunk with happiness after having obtained “their” selfie, their autograph on an old campaign leaflet or their dedication on the book of the young far-right leader. In this “pop star” style exercise, the president of the RN excels, displaying a dazzling smile on command or recording a video for Marie-Claude, the mother of a young man who approaches him: “We are very disappointed that you are not Don’t be there, we kiss you! “.
And if, despite everything, we were to find something in common between the two visitors of the day, it is perhaps a reputation that still needs to be perfected among some. As this lady testified during Edouard Philippe's visit: “He shook my hand, but I don't know who it is! » Or this man encountered in the afternoon rush, very happy with his achievement, who shouted: “That's it, I have my selfie with Zordan! »
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