Third night at the Limoges Convention Center. Rhythmic applause follows the appearance of Anne Indalgo, mayor of Paris and Socialist Party (PS) candidate for the April presidential election. With her is the last socialist president of France, François Hollande. For five years, Hollande held the helm of France and was the one who “discovered” the political talent of the current president Emanuel Macron. But for five years he remained low in the polls and in 2017 he failed to get re-elected. For a long time he avoided public appearances.
But in October 2021 the French socialists attempted a new beginning. Following an internal party referendum, Ann Indalgo was declared the candidate for the 2022 presidential election, at a time when Emanuel Macron and the ultra-conservative candidate Eric Zemour had not even announced their candidacy. As early as October 23, Ann Indalgo had made her first election appearance in Lille. But time did not work in her favor. The Socialist Party was disturbed by a recent article in the newspaper Le Monde, according to which François Hollande was seriously considering proposing a change of candidate in the middle of the election campaign. But the appearance of Hollande next to Indalgo, in Limoges, clarifies things.
“I am faithful, unlike some others …”
“I’m here because I’m loyal, especially in difficult times,” Hollande said, opening the campaign. “What would they say if I was hiding? If I was silent? I leave the conclusions to others or rather to someone else who has never been an example to me …” of Nicolas Sarkozy. Hollande-Sarkozy dislike is probably unprecedented in post-war France. Unlike Hollande, who supports the Socialist candidate, Sarkozy not only does not support the “Republican” candidate, Valerie Pekres, but also leaves points against her, usually through his associates. Like former Budget Minister Eric Wert, who in February called on party members to vote … Macron.
“Anne Indalgo entered this election campaign at an extremely difficult time,” said François Hollande. “He has courage, he has perseverance. That is why he has my support.” The strength and perseverance will certainly be needed in Indalgo, which, according to opinion polls, does not exceed 2% in the voters’ preferences. And this, although she was popular as mayor of Paris and has the advantage of being the first woman to receive the anointing of the French Socialists for the presidential election. She insists on the traditional values of the Left. “The French Republic would not be what it is if the Left had not offered what it offered,” Indalgo said at the Limoges event. “We are proud because we are with you, because we share your goals, your ambitions.”
Macron is firmly ahead
According to the latest polls, Emanuel Macron may fall slightly, but he remains firmly first with a percentage of around 27%. This is followed by the leader of the French Extreme Right, Marin Le Pen. Estimates that her association with Vladimir Putin would harm her candidacy are obviously not confirmed. Left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Melanson remains stable at around 15%, while Pekres and Zemour fight for the top spot in the Conservative camp, but hardly exceed 10%. For Sunday, Eric Zemour invites his fans to a large pre-election rally in the Gardens of Trocadero.
Giannis Papadimitriou (AFP, AP)
Source: Deutsche Welle
Source: Capital
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