Faced with the thunderclap of the victory of the National Rally in the first round of the legislative elections on Sunday evening, the left and the macronie called for withdrawals in the second round to counter the candidates of the far-right party. However, within the presidential camp, the contours of the voting instructions for the second round remain vague. Former Renaissance President of the Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet emphasized a 'distinction' between the rebellious candidates, advocating for a 'case-by-case' approach depending on the constituencies.
Braun-Pivet stated that the fight is not over until the elections are concluded, urging support for candidates from the reformist front. In constituencies where the presidential bloc's candidates have already failed, she called for leaving 'no vote for the RN', aligning with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's call. However, she did not call for Macronist candidates to systematically withdraw if they are in 3rd position in constituencies with triangular contests, emphasizing that it depends on the profile of the left-wing candidate.
Braun-Pivet differentiated between various candidates within La France Insoumise (LFI), expressing support for some while rejecting others. She highlighted Caroline Fiat as a 'great Republican and humanist', contrasting her with David Guiraud, whom she accused of not adhering to Republican values and expressing anti-Semitic ideas. Braun-Pivet also criticized Louis Boyard, an outgoing MP and favorite in Val-de-Marne, for rejecting institutions and aiming to undermine them.
Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire echoed this sentiment, urging voters to support candidates from the social-democratic camp and rejecting any rebellious candidates, accusing Insoumise France of taking positions against the French nation characterized by communitarianism, anti-Semitism, and violence. President Emmanuel Macron also called for a 'large, clearly Democratic and Republican gathering for the second round'.
In a related incident, Jean-Pierre Pont, an outgoing deputy for the 5th constituency of Pas-de-Calais, published a video on Saturday at 5:55 p.m., violating the electoral truce in effect since Friday 11:59 p.m. The video featured Yaël Braun-Pivet expressing support for Pont, praising his involvement in the law commission on issues affecting Pas-de-Calais, such as the January floods. This breach of the electoral code, which prohibits broadcasting electoral propaganda during the truce, led to widespread criticism and calls for invalidating the election if Pont remains in the second round.
Pont faced potential repercussions including a fine of 3750 euros and a tarnished reputation. The video was quickly deleted, but the incident highlighted the importance of adhering to electoral rules to ensure the sincerity of the vote and avoid undue pressure on voters.
- The electoral truce is a critical period meant to ensure the fairness and integrity of the voting process. By violating this truce, candidates risk undermining public trust in the electoral system. The incident involving Jean-Pierre Pont serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting these regulations.
- Yaël Braun-Pivet's nuanced approach to supporting candidates based on their individual profiles rather than party affiliation underscores the complexity of political alliances and the need for careful consideration in electoral strategies.
