in Marseille, the voters of Jean-Laurent Félizia annoyed “at having to vote Renaud Muselier” after the withdrawal of the environmental candidate

“I was insulted by one of my constituents again this morning.” Annoyed, Jean-Laurent Félizia measures on this Tuesday, June 22, the consequences of his withdrawal for the second round of regional elections. The day before, the candidate of the left, who came in third position Sunday, June 20, ended up giving in to calls to block the National Assembly. “My baker started to cry when she saw me. I told her that she had to vote Renaud Muselier to prevent the National Rally from reaching our region and she told me I was right “, he breathes in front of his campaign HQ.

Here in the 6^e district of Marseille, he leaves the 2,987 voters who placed him in the lead facing a difficult choice: vote Renaud Muselier (LR) or vote white or even abstain and risk electing Thierry Mariani (RN). In total, in the Phocaean city, 35,996 voters chose to place their trust in him. What will they decide from now on?

For some of them, met in the streets of the city, voting for the candidate of the right on Sunday is heartbreaking. This is the case of Arthur, a 33-year-old musician, who has voted green for several years. “It annoys me to have to vote against the RN … The white vote also freaks me out. If it helps to elect Thierry Mariani, I would be so remiss.he rages, biting his lip. It’s crazy to end up having to vote Renaud Muselier! “

Joseph, an 80-year-old pensioner, met near a school in rue Friedland, is also in this case. “I am one of the voters of Jean-Laurent Félizia, he admits, shrugging his arms and shoulders. Sunday, I vote Renaud Muselier because I am one of those people who have started to take Spanish lessons. If ever Marine Le Pen passes, I’ll head to Barcelona next year “, he lets go before turning on his heels.

Christiane, a retired plastic arts teacher, seated on a terrace in the Castellane district, also fears it. This is the reason why she has “voted useful” from the first round in favor of Renaud Muselier and not for the candidate of the left, as she had done for many elections. “I voted for the Marseillais Spring last year but Muselier this year because I felt that Félizia was not going to go the distance”, she recalls.

“I will also vote Muselier on Sunday because the region must not become a springboard for Marine Le Pen.”

Christiane, retired

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In this region, the National Rally progresses as the elections progress, to the detriment of the left. After seeing Fréjus conquered in the 2014 municipal elections, the National Front came out on top in the first round of the 2015 regional elections, before coming up against the republican front established by Christophe Castaner (PS) and Christian Estrosi (LR at the time). “We see the extreme right at work, we know what it is”, sighs Capucine Edou, who led Jean-Laurent Félizia’s list in the Bouches-du-Rhône. “It is a disaster not to have left elected representatives in the departmental council of Var or in the municipal councils of several communes. I understand the deep disappointment of our voters and I share it.”

The threat from the far right is not always enough to convince the voters of Jean-Laurent Félizia to place a Renaud Muselier ballot in the ballot box. “I find the Republican front ridiculous. I’m 100,000 places from it all.”, dismisses Alexis, 35, who came to Marseille from Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis) almost three years ago.

For me, this republican front does not make sense when you see these two equivalent rights. I am withdrawing from the electoral game and will go to vote white on Sunday.

Alexis, 35 years old

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However, Alexis prefers to let elected officials face their responsibilities in the event of a victory for the far right on Sunday. “I admit being a bit lazy in distinguishing between LR and RN”, recognizes this voter. “The level of the left in the region is scary …” he grimaces, putting his head in his hands.

The withdrawal of Jean-Laurent Félizia also left a whole section of voters in deep indecision, despite his voting instructions. “I don’t know yet what I’m going to do on Sunday, reflects Marguerite, a 27-year-old doctoral student in geography. I will vote Muselier or vote white. “

“It’s a bit exhausting being stuck between two options that I don’t like at all…”

Marguerite, 27 years old

Jérôme, a 58-year-old landscaper, also shares this disappointment. “What a pity that Jean-Laurent Félizia has withdrawn. I will vote white on Sunday, as in the second round of the presidential election “, he announces at first. When it is pointed out to him that with the withdrawal of Jean-Laurent Félizia, it will be 12 years since the left will not be represented in the regional council in Paca, his gaze freezes for a few moments. “I’ll think about it for Sunday”, he finally let go. “When we see the level of abstention, we would have to change the institutions otherwise the link between the population and elected officials will deteriorate further …” predicts the one who notably contributed to writing a “democratic pact for Marseille”, in order to introduce more citizen contribution before the municipal elections of last year.

“I do not follow the voting instructions at all”, sweeps Sidney, a 29-year-old actress, who hesitated to vote white in the first round before finally choosing the Felizia ballot. The 195,233 votes obtained by Jean-Laurent Félizia in Paca will they refer to the candidacy of Renaud Muselier, as claimed by the environmental candidate? “Everyone has their freedom and we do not own the votes that have been granted to us”, recognizes Capucine Edou. Tired of the political calculation of the Republican front, several voters could not respond to the call of the environmental candidate and despite themselves increase the chances of victory of Thierry Mariani. What to do “pinball”, admits Jean-Laurent Félizia.