Around 7:30 p.m., the first to arrive at the La Bastide café, the Bordeaux headquarters of La République en Marche activists for this second round of the presidential election, immediately warn: “In any case, it will not be a joyous victory tonight . »
If the prospect of Emmanuel Macron’s defeat seemed to be receding in recent days, which the first estimates tended to confirm before 8 p.m., the outgoing president’s supporters were indeed perplexed before the results. “The National Rally has never been so high, how can we be happy? worries Corentin, 24.
“We are confident, but cautious,” confides another activist before the official announcement of victory. “Clearly, less than 55% would not be a good sign. 8 p.m., the first results come in. 58%. Forgotten, the promise of a modest victory. All the activists and elected officials gathered in the café let their joy burst out. “And five more years” they chant in chorus.
“58% is symbolic”
“It’s true that we were on the reserve, and when we saw the Overseas Territories during the day [où Marine Le Pen est arrivée en tête dans de nombreux territoires], we were a little scared, so these 58% are very satisfactory, rejoices Joséphine, 18, from Libourne. 58% is symbolic. “” 58% is very good, I did not expect it, abounds Joris, 22, an activist from Bouscat, in the suburbs of Bordeaux, where Emmanuel Macron had scored 39% in the first round. In any case, despite a campaign that was very short, we, on the ground, we were present and we did everything necessary to make it happen. »
Everyone goes to their analysis to explain this score overall above the expectations of activists. Some believe that a “republican front has finally been set up” and thank “Mélenchon who called not to vote for Marine Le Pen. “Joris believes for his part that his candidate “has been able to get closer to young people. “Others still see it as the consequence of a” program which was clearly better than that of Marine Le Pen. »
“Emmanuel Macron’s program was better”
This is the case of Christiane, a Bordeaux LREM sympathizer. “For me, what made the difference was the debate. He allowed everyone to see that Emmanuel Macron’s program was better. Before the first round, it was very difficult to present this program, given the international context, but afterwards we were able to look at the content, even if everything is not perfect and I hope that the social aspect will be more taken into account. »
Her friend Anne, also a sympathizer, believes for her part that “the Republican front has not really been put in place”, which she regrets. “Many people have lost the sense of history, especially among the youngest. I think there will be educational efforts to be made. »
It now remains to plan for the weeks to come, in particular the legislative elections which will soon arrive. The watchword of La République en Marche in the Gironde department is “priority for outgoing people” and why not “find a few additional constituencies. “Or not to lose, knowing that in 2017, LREM had won nine out of twelve constituencies in the department.
Discover the results of the second round of the 2022 presidential election by city, department and region over 20 Minutes.