Against all expectations, Rachida Dati finds herself at the top of the polls according to the last Elabe survey published last weekend. The mayor of the 7th arrondissement: in the lead with 25% of voting intentions, just ahead of Anne Hidalgo (24%) and Agnès Buzyn (18.5%). The televised duel which, in an unprecedented way, will unite this seven main candidates in the capital this Wednesday evening on the set of LCI, therefore has a major stake for the three candidates.
Anne Hidalgo, the serene
The televised debate does not scare him. Anne Hidalgo (PS) is experienced in exercise. She already experienced it during the 2014 campaign where she was facing Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet (LR). His numerous interventions on TV sets and in radio studios in recent weeks have also enabled the outgoing mayor to defend his action, to present the broad outlines of his resolutely ecological program, and to refine his arguments… In short, to prepare to face its competitors this Wednesday evening on the LCI set.
"Its main difficulty will be to get its message across and not get caught up in the attacks of its competitors," analyzes Emmanuel Grégoire, his first deputy, who says it is "offensive". For several days, her relatives have been documenting her. Prominent figures from outside politics were also asked to discuss more general matters with her. "These discussions are intended to help him gain height and help him get back to basics," said his first assistant. Anne Hidalgo did not call on a coach to prepare this first face-to-face with her opponents.
For D-Day, his agenda has been reduced to allow him to stay focused. "A trip could however be maintained in the morning," says his communications advisor. "She has no ritual to relax before a meeting or an intervention," says her right arm, assuring that she approached this debate "with serenity". Her close team will be with her in her dressing room: Emmanuel Grégoire, candidate in the 12th century, will be in the public alongside the ex-journalist and candidate in the Paris Center district Audrey Pulvar, by Carine Petit, the outgoing mayor of the 13th century and of Jérôme Coumet, his counterpart of the 13th century.
Agnès Buzyn, the studious
She will put herself in the shoes of the student who was preparing for the internship competition. Or the professor, who gave lectures in medicine. This Wednesday, day of debate, her first, Agnès Buzyn will spend it at home. "I need to be in a bubble to think, focus, store, in order to be fluent orally, simple when I speak, not techno", she tells us, on the eve of her fireproof. The LREM candidate has only a short month to campaign. Suffice to say that this cathodic meeting is crucial for her. "My goal is for people to know me as a person and know my program," she says. Agnès Buzyn admits, she doesn't have the temperament of "a slugger".
However, she took care to put the opposing camps under the microscope, talking "with people who saw things from the inside". In particular the former first assistant of Anne Hidalgo, Bruno Julliard, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of her socialist rival. Ditto with Rachida Dati. To the outgoing mayor, she will speak about her results. Faced with the LR candidate, she wants to appear as the real "useful vote", able to "bring down districts".
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Already thinking of the second round, she also intends to highlight her points of agreement and disagreement with the other candidates. Agnes Buzyn does not intend to force her nature. "I am committed to doing politics differently, not to type", insists the one who intends to capitalize on his image of "care minister" and his "skill" as manager. It remains, facing its two rivals experienced in political contests, to be heard.
Rachida Dati, the punch
A little less than a month ago, Rachida Dati had made it known that she refused the idea of a debate. “An assured rat race. Paris deserves a debate on the merits and with time, "she had declared to Les Echos, preferring" to debate with the Parisians ". Some then suspected her of wanting to avoid a confrontation of programs that could serve her.
But while the candidate Les Républicains seems today driven by a dynamic in the polls, impossible to refuse such an invitation, especially if the other challengers go there. No special preparation for the mayor (LR) of the 7th arrondissement, even less "role play" where she would face a third party, smiles on those around her. Accustomed to trays and interviews, if Dati logs, it will be "as for any media passage".
"This is a new educational exercise to show what our project is," argues its campaign director Nelly Garnier. "She prepares by making ground," adds his entourage. Wednesday evening on the set, she will have "only one opponent, it's Anne Hidalgo", continues Garnier. Dati wants to “embody this idea of a useful vote” in the face of the outgoing mayor, continues Agnès Evren, head of the list (LR) in the 15th century. At the expense of the walker Agnès Buzyn, who wants to compete for this title, but on which Dati does not want to shine the spotlight.
