From our special correspondent in Fréjus (Var)
At the entrance to the Roman theater in Fréjus (Var), between the aisles, in the stands, everywhere, his name is whispered. On this Sunday morning, under a blazing sun, the shadow of Eric Zemmour hangs over the political comeback of Marine Le Pen. While the RN candidate leaves the presidency of the movement in the hope of better rallying the voters behind her, and thus optimizing her chances of victory, the famous polemicist did not hide “his desire” to be also a candidate for the presidential, the day before, on the plateau of France 2. An idea which is not without worrying the 900 supporters of the National Rally who came to Fréjus.
“I took a photo with a party executive whose name I would not mention, and I took the opportunity to talk to him about Eric Zemmour,” says Martine, an activist from Nice. I told this executive my semi-concern on the subject, and that we had to negotiate between Zemmour and Marine. I hear around me adherents who are tempted by him. It’s true that it’s a bit of a rock in the shoe. We share a lot of theories in common. If he presents himself, he has the right, it is democracy. But if he doesn’t show up, that’s okay. It’s a little scary, although I hope it will not exceed 5%. “
“I love it, but there it creates the division”
It must be said that the polemicist attracts a certain sympathy among these activists and other local elected officials of the RN, of which he has similar ideas. “I follow him every night on CNews,” says Michèle. If Eric Zemmour loves France as he says, if he thinks for the good of France, he shouldn’t show up. I love it, but there it creates division, and France needs Marine to pass. “
Eric Zemmour, future opponent? On the set of Laurent Ruquier and Léa Salamé, Eric Zemmour, up in the polls, said that “voting Marine Le Pen is voting Emmanuel Macron”. A stance that has the gift of annoying the executives of the RN, for whom, in this putative political fight, the best defense seems to be attack. The first shots are coming from Jordan Bardella, barely installed in his new costume as president of the RN. “It is true that the division of the national camp is probably that, French suicide,” he says, after a journalist’s question on this subject, in reference to Eric Zemmour’s bestseller.
“We must not make a mistake about the enemy”
“Eric Zemmour has no shadow of political support, argues Jacques Ricciardetti, RN regional advisor in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. He does not have the shadow of a project. He is not strong with any chosen one. Marine Le Pen is supported by a movement and she has a team behind her. I am not afraid of him. The real question is, what will he do in the second round? Will he support the globalists or the nationalists? “
“In life, when you fight, you must not make the wrong enemy, launches Laurent Jacobelli, spokesperson for the National Rally. I am surprised that he does not realize that Emmanuel Macron is an enemy. What an idea to want to fracture! But a polemic polemicist, you know, it’s no wonder. “
However, the party does not close the door to discussions, and still hopes to make Eric Zemmour an ally. If, during her long speech, Marine Le Pen took care never to pronounce the name of the polemicist, the brand new president of the National Gathering undertook to mention it in his first inaugural speech, in a the shape of an outstretched hand with the air of reprimand. “Let’s be clear my friends,” Jordan Bardella launches from the podium. Whether it is Eric Zemmour, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan or others, we will never have opponents on the side of those who are on the side of France. Our opponent has a name. His name is Emmanuel Macron. This Friday, Eric Zemmour will also be in the Var, in Toulon, to inaugurate the promotional tour of his new book.