the trend of non-political profiles on the lists affects all parties

For the European elections on June 9, the parties, whatever their tendency, are seeking to recruit expertise outside the political field. LFI already has a lawyer on its list, the RN has attracted the former boss of Frontex, and LR has just recruited a soldier.

With the recent recruitment of a soldier into its ranks, the group Les Républicains (LR) is once again composing a list made up of profiles that do not come exclusively from politics. “Number 2”, Céline Imart, is a cereal farmer in Tarn. General Christophe Gomart will be “number 3” on this same list for the European elections on June 9.

Before saying “yes” to Éric Ciotti, the former soldier asked Bruno Retailleau, whom he has known for a very long time, for his opinion. The boss of the right in the Senate immediately told him: “Go, we must save the homeland!” The right-wing party boasts “expertise”there “freshness” of these candidates, who have “a fresh look at politics” And “bring credit to LR”. “It also allows us to show our priorities: defense and agriculture”, insists a campaign executive. They are running alongside the head of the list François-Xavier Bellamy, who, remember, before 2019, was a professor of philosophy. This will therefore be able to coach them in terms of diving into the big electoral bath.

Different reasons for everyone

LR is not the only party to have embarked on this approach. The RN is also playing this card with the former boss of Frontex, Fabrice Leggeri, 3rd on Jordan Bardella’s list. Fabrice Leggeri was also courted by LR. This is an opportunity for Marine Le Pen’s party to reaffirm that immigration remains a top priority. Another ambition is claimed by an executive: “Show that we can attract senior officials”, and this in the perspective of the presidential election. Everyone has their reasons for recruiting in civil society.

On the left too, we are banking on new profiles: France Insoumise has chosen the lawyer Rima Hassan, of Palestinian origin, in order to mobilize those who are outraged by what is happening in Gaza. The ecologist Marie Toussaint called on the former “yellow vest” Priscillia Ludosky to show that her campaign is both “for the defense of the environment and social justice”.

As for the presidential majority, the list is still in the construction phase. The Macronists also want to display personalities from outside politics, but the development of the list is complicated between the outgoing, the allies to satisfy, without forgetting the polls which are not in good shape and which limit the guaranteed places of eligibility . The idea of ​​a soldier has also been circulated, without knowing if it will succeed. These days, another profile catches the eye: the lawyer Rachel-Flore Pardo, young and feminist, who notably defends the influencer Magali Berdah. A majority leader is categorical: “We need new faces!”