It is in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, one of the most affluent districts of the capital, that Eric Zemmour has chosen to set up his headquarters. On three levels, workers and delivery people have been busy for several weeks. They renovated around 300 m2 of premises, occupied until 2016 by the famous Harcourt photography studios. Six years ago, they paid 220,000 euros per year, excluding charges. Or more than 18,000 euros per month. The entourage of Eric Zemmour indicates that the amount of the rent will be made public in due course but that it would be lower than what the former occupant paid.
To finance his HQ and his campaign, Eric Zemmour can count on his personal funds, in particular on the proceeds of his latest book. But above all on the gifts of his admirers. According to those around him, payments and checks would flow. From a few euros to several hundred.
In a building in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, a letterbox bearing the name of the Friends of Eric Zemmour association is always full. A donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, assures that despite “a retirement that is not brilliant”, she has “sent 100 euros”. “If we want it to succeed, she proclaims, he needs money. One must know what one wants”.
For those who would like to make larger donations, Eric Zemmour’s friends come in person and suggest that an activist come and collect the checks in person. In any case, this is what is written on a form distributed on the sidelines of a public meeting of the polemicist. At the bottom the sheet, a phone number and a name. When one calls, it is a supporter of Eric Zemmour who answers, a former parliamentary collaborator of a senator Les Républicains. “For the moment, we have no premises so we have an address in the 15th arrondissement, he explains. On the other hand, indeed, for large donations we can find ourselves … in better conditions. “
When contacted, Eric Zemmour’s closest collaborators refuse to comment on the amount of donations already collected.
HQ, money, but to defend his ideas, Eric Zemmour also needs activists. Since September, it is the networks close to La Manif pour tous on which Eric Zemmour tries to rely. In two months, he went to Versailles three times, like Tuesday evening, invited by the association Les Eveilleurs, conservative Catholics.
In front of these 2,000 people committed to his cause, he has more and more difficulty to kick in touch when asked if he is, yes or no, a candidate. If it does not have the status, it begins to have the logistics.