Arthur de Laborde (special correspondent in Lille) / Photo credit: SAMEER AL-DOUMY / AFP
The start of the European campaign, for the Renaissance party, was given this Saturday afternoon in Lille. A first major campaign meeting which sounded like a baptism of fire for the head of the list Valérie Hayer. Other majority heavyweights also spoke.
The presidential majority is taking the plunge. The first major campaign meeting of the Renaissance party, with a view to the European elections next June, was held this Saturday afternoon in Lille. United behind a slogan “Need for Europe”, several heavyweights from the majority took the floor, but this first important meeting above all seemed like a baptism of fire for the head of the list Valérie Hayer.
In front of thousands of sympathizers, the main challenge, for this unknown person to the general public, was to demonstrate her legitimacy within her own camp. “I heard, in the early hours of this campaign, that I would be a choice by default. I hope that people do not say that because I am a woman,” she declared. And to continue: “I fully intend to hold my place”.
Offensive attack against the RN
Valérie Hayer was able to count on the support of Gérald Darmanin, François Bayrou, Édouard Philippe and even Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. Very offensive, the head of government notably shelled the National Rally of Jordan Bardella. “The record of 40 years of mandate of the Le Pen clan in the European Parliament boils down, ultimately, to a few votes, at most. So, I tell you, ladies and gentlemen, let’s look at the votes of the National Rally in Parliament European. It is a litany of betrayals against the interests of the French.”
A campaign which took time to start, but which now seems to be well underway for the Macronists. Valérie Hayer’s posters are being sent to all the federations to be put up on Sunday. Large meetings, like the one this Saturday in Lille, there will, a priori, be two others in the three months remaining before the election.