This Sunday, April 24, 2022, Emmanuel Macron won the second round of the presidential elections against Marine Le Pen. The one who was targeted by a tomato jet spoke shortly after this announcement and said: “After five years of transformations, happy and difficult times, this day of April 24, a majority of us have chosen to trust me to preside over our Republic for the next five years. I know that many of our compatriots voted for me today, not to support the ideas I hold, but to block those of the extreme right. I want to thank them here and tell them that I am aware that their vote binds me for the years to come (…) We have so much to do. The war in Ukraine is there to remind us that we are going through tragic times where France must show the clarity of its voice and build its strength in all areas, and we will do it.
But this Sunday, another former candidate was talked about. This is Jean Lasalle. The latter went to his polling station. He filmed himself saying, “For the first time in my life as a man (…) I am going to carry out one of the most important acts of my life: I refuse to take part in this vote. That is to say: I abstain”.
Only here, the 90 votes cast during the second round of the presidential election in the town of Lourdios-Ichère where Jean Lasalle resides were canceled because of this gesture as revealed by the Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday. Indeed, he broke the rule “prohibiting the dissemination of messages of an electoral propaganda nature the day before and on polling day” and this has “undermined the respect due to the dignity of electoral operations” as stated in a press release.
It was also pointed out that “These actions have, given the notoriety of Mr. Lassalle in the municipality of Lourdios-Ichère and his quality as deputy and former mayor, were likely to alter the sincerity of the ballot in this municipality”. Moreover, this could go even further since criminal proceedings could be initiated against him. Thus, he can be fined 15,000 euros and one year in prison.
GZ
See also: Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron separate