in Yonne, these young people are losing interest in the legislative elections

One week before the first round of the legislative elections and at the heart of the political tumult, franceinfo decided to take the time to listen to certain French people to understand their vote.

Less than a week from first round of legislative elections, franceinfo is interested in the abstention of young people. According to the Ipsos institute, 60% of 18-25 year olds abstained during the European elections. We met some of these young men and women under 25, at the edge of a football field in Yonne.

“Where I live, it’s a small village. There aren’t many people, there are cows. We’re in the countryside, we’re right in the middle of it.” explains Mathis, 19. Baptiste, who trains the little ones on a voluntary basis, lives in the same living environment, far from city centers. The 24-year-old rents a house with his partner in a rather isolated village. “My doctor retired and was replaced. Let’s not talk about dentists. It took me more than a year and a half to find,” deplores the coach.

Océane, 20, is on the sidelines to accompany her 8-year-old little brother. She studied in Dijon where she noticed certain differences with students from this city of 155,000 inhabitants. “Already, we don’t have the same language. They say that I’m a country girl, that I have a hell of an accent, that I come from the countryside”, she said smiling.

These three young people appreciate this “campaign”. They are happy here. Another thing they have in common: they are not interested in politics. Océane knows “Macron”but does not remember the name of the Prime Minister. “I already said one, it’s already pretty good,” puts the young woman into perspective.

Océane never talks about politics, neither with her parents, nor with her friends. The little information she receives comes from social networks.

“On Instagram, I subscribe to ‘Gossip’ and it informs us about stars or even politics. But I haven’t really looked at that yet…”

Océane, a young resident of Yonne

at franceinfo

For his part, Baptiste, who is a little older, follows more. “It pisses me off to see them all shooting at each other. All this to win in the end,” regrets Baptiste. These young people believe that politics has very little impact on their lives.

Mathis is a first year BTS communication student in Troyes and has “Did not have time” to vote in the European elections. For these legislative elections, he should therefore vote for the first time. “I would have to go vote anyway. Making my first vote would be good. It’s something in life all the same, it’s symbolic,” he says.

“I should find out before voting, so as not to vote for just anyone. If I understood correctly, it is the National Rally which is more right-wing. The National Rally is the thing which is rising the most at the moment and by which I have been the most informed on social networks”, continues the young man.

These three young people are not jaded, they are serious about their work or their studies. Politics is light years away from their concerns, even if they are made aware of them by two campaign themes: immigration and wages.

Baptiste is a roofer and zinc worker and believes that his work is not valued enough. He is therefore seduced by the New Popular Front’s proposal for a minimum wage of 1,600 euros. “That would be good, because considering what a shopping cart costs us every month, 1,600 euros is not too much” Mathis hopes.

“When we see people who can earn outrageous salaries and then us in the end, we see that we struggle every day… What we earn is not crazy.”

Mathis, a young resident of Yonne

at franceinfo

Baptiste like Océane are more left-wing, but they will not vote. With their friends there is no real divide or debate on this subject. Océane, alternating in a Cada, a center for asylum seekers, includes for example some of her friends who criticize immigrants.

“Of course I’ve heard from my friends: the ‘bougnoules’, things like that. But it’s not too bad, it’s their opinion and then I have mine. Since I’m in a Cada and I know their story, I understand why they came here, I like to help them.” says Océane. Politics does not structure their lives, but rather family, studies and sports educators.