“Here, the suspense is lifted: we are leaving for a new lease! We are clear, clear and decided”. In front of two posters, the outgoing deputy Les Républicains de la Manche Philippe Gosselin formalized his candidacy for the legislative elections of June 12 and 19 next in the first constituency of the department (Saint-Lô, Carentan, Villedieu). MP since 2007, he is seeking a fourth term. His deputy is the departmental councilor and mayor of Saint-Cyr-Bocage Christèle Castelein. The former mayor of Rémilly-sur-Lozon commits under the banner of conquering Normandybringing together candidates from the right and the center in the region.
For a “new lease”
“I do for you” : this is the candidate’s campaign slogan. Action and proximity, these are the two words he hammers out. Philippe Gosselin highlights his record over the past five years, particularly during the health crisis: texts on the state of emergency, covid bonus for caregivers, solidarity fund, etc. “Ranked as one of the 12 most active deputies in France”the departmental councilor wants to be the holder of a opposition “constructive” to Emmanuel Macron: during the last legislature, “I voted 50% of the texts” offered. He was also a signatory to several joint press releases “in the collective interest” with his Manche colleagues Bertrand Sorre, Sonia Krimi and Stéphane Travert. His line? “Bringing a complementary voice”.
There are always questions. We say to ourselves: will I still be useful? What will be the political context? I also had family difficulties that make us question ourselves. But at 55, I haven’t lost any of my energy. With Christèle, we are neither worn out nor demotivated – Philippe Gosselin, outgoing deputy for La Manche
Force of proposal and counter-power
But, Philippe Gosselin remains “loyal to his political family” of the parliamentary and humanist right. “It’s necessary know where we crib : we are not mercenaries”, summarizes the chosen one. The only LR deputy in the department aware of the difficulties of his party. “We will have to rebuild, and the results of June 19 in the evening will shed some light”notes the chosen one.
You will have to be extremely careful: I am not re-elected! I have a good feeling about it. It’s a job, a report, proposals, a campaign. In short, a contract of trust that must be renewed with our fellow citizens. The question is to know: what is the point of having one more MP for the majority, when you have an outgoing MP respected here and in Paris? – Philippe Gosselin, outgoing MP for La Manche
After a close election in 2017where the deputy felt “the wind of the ball” of the Macron wave, Philippe Gosselin expects an intense, very short campaign (about thirty days). A fifteen public meetings is planned, including the premieres in Montebourg and Saint-Jean-de-Daye on May 19.
The other candidates declared in the first constituency of La Manche
- Laurent Pien, mayor of Condé-sur-Vire, invested by Renaissance (presidential majority)
- Guillaume Hédouin, EELV regional adviser, for the New People’s Union
- Franck Simon representing the National Rally
- Olivia Lewi for Labor Struggle
- Jérôme Louiche of the Animalist Party