In Haute-Marne, the town, famous because General de Gaulle spent part of his life there, voted in majority for Jordan Bardella during the last European elections.
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84 years after the June 18 Appeal, in 1940, launched from London by General de Gaulle, his stronghold of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises has changed a lot. Can we still speak of a bastion of Gaullism? In the European elections, the National Rally (RN) came first with 54.94% of the votes for the RN list carried by Jordan Bardella, current president of the far-right party, placed as a favorite for the early legislative elections.
At 79 years old, Jean-Marie is afraid. The blood of this native of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises only boils when we talk to him about the popularity of the RN here in Haute-Marne. “We’re in trouble”plagues anyone who knew General de Gaulle. “I’m afraid of what’s going to happen, it’s not going to be pretty”he predicts.
If we ask him for an explanation for the rise of the extreme right in the village, Jean-Marie evokes the slow disappearance of the Gaullists, “old families of Colombey, there is no one left”, observes the septuagenarian. He still counts “four” historic centers, four clans defending the thoughts of General de Gaulle. The former President of the Republic who would turn in his grave, according to Jean-Marie, seeing the extreme right win the votes in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises.
“It remains a bastion of Gaullism, however it is also becoming a village like any other”who experiences the same concerns that the rural world experiences, defends Pascal Babouot, the mayor of the town (without a label).
“Here, what bothers people the most is the lack of personal service : an appointment with a specialist is complicated.”
Pascal Babouotat franceinfo
The councilor also regrets increasing delinquency, “that we didn’t have beforehe says. The craftsmen all have their trucks stolen, almost every weekend.” It’s a “feeling of abandonment” who dominates, who has “led people to vote for a harder right.” A finding “dramatic” And “disappointing”deplores the mayor of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises.