“We are going to win, we are going to win”, chanted the activists Les Républicains at the party’s headquarters in Paris, Saturday, December 4. They finally know the name of their presidential candidate for 2022: it is in this case a candidate since it is Valérie Pécresse who was appointed by the members. The president of the Île-de-France region won the primary against the deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes Eric Ciotti.
For activists, after the explosion of joy, it is now the start of a marathon. “This is just the beginning”, recognizes Martine, salt and pepper hair tied in a ponytail. “For her to be president, we will be in the field. We will be everywhere!”, she promises, stamping with impatience. “On will tow, go see the militants, the members, the voters … Everyone. “
Explosion of joy from the activists #the Republicans at party headquarters when Valerie’s victory was announced #Pecresse in primary @franceinfo pic.twitter.com/x1NWLabvDr
– Victoria Koussa (@victoriakoussa) December 4, 2021
During the speech following her victory, Valérie Pécresse quickly announces that she will be going to the Vésubie valley (Alpes-Maritimes) on Monday. “Finally, let’s go!”, rejoices Nicolas, responsible for the Young Republicans in Lozère. It is for him a starting point. “We already had a program. There, we finalized everything and we can finally go.” He says he is happy that the campaign of the one who is now the official candidate can start so quickly. “It’s great to be able to start right now without any problem in the party since all the militants are united.” Team of activists, candidates, elected officials … everyone is ready according to him. “Nothing can be missed for this campaign!”
Behind him, Elisabeth looks at the world gathered in the hall of the headquarters of the Republicans, where the supporters of the five candidates for the primary chant the name of Valérie Pécresse. “We’re going to be together again”, she congratulates herself. “It’s something strong. Only she could do it!” It therefore obviously appears to him that forces are now uniting around the candidate. “Everyone gathers around Valérie, who has an incredible charisma.”
Indeed, even the disappointed agree to play the game. “We’re going to get back to work”, thus slides Nicolas, who is one of the rare supporters of Eric Ciotti in
the assembly. A less difficult task than in 2016 according to him. “The party is much more cohesive than a few years ago. It is not a turnaround, more an adjustment of a few degrees. It is not the huge paradigm shift we could have had before, between an activist of Alain Juppé who began to support François Fillon. It was absolutely not the same ideological framework. “ The political family, from its leaders to its militants, shows itself united on the first day of a campaign which has only just begun.