Direction Versailles.
For the third time in less than a month, Éric Zemmour is participating in a public event in the Yvelines prefecture.
This Tuesday, October 19, he will present his book “France has not said its last word” (Rubempré) at the convention center, at the invitation of Les Éveilleurs.
Co-created by Pierre Nicolas, a digital consultant who was the unofficial chief of staff of FN MP Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, this association was born in 2016 in the wake of the Watchmen Movement.
Which was opposed, through readings in public places, to marriage for all.
An audience of choice for the essayist, whose presidential candidacy is no longer in doubt.
In the entourage, still unclear, Eric Zemmour already emerge several figures of the galaxy of the Manif for All (MPT), spearhead of the mobilization against the opening of marriage to same-sex couples during the five-year term Holland.
"A large number of people, committed to the MPT, are re-interested in political life thanks to the prospect of a Zemmour candidacy"
A former part of the movement
Highly visible, Samuel Lafont, a former activist of the French Spring, radical wing of the MPT, is in charge of the digital communication of Eric Zemmour, whom he accompanied last weekend in Nîmes and Béziers.
“I wouldn't say that Zemmour is making a takeover bid on MPT.
But clearly, it pleases this audience, ”he breathes.
Albéric Dumont, current vice-president of the MPT, at the head of the security company Ultreïa, ensures, him, the close protection of the polemicist.
More discreet, the former prefect Jean-Paul Bolufer chaired one of the thirty-seven associations that included the MPT.
If he remains evasive about his functions, several interlocutors of the Zemmour team describe him today as his "chief of staff".
"He is close to him, he is a very talented civil servant," boasts Christine Boutin, of whom he was the chief of staff at the Ministry of Housing.
Read also Polls: what is the profile of Eric Zemmour's potential voter?
"I observe that a large number of people, committed to the MPT, are re-interested in political life thanks to the prospect of a Zemmour candidacy, underlines a former part of the movement, who prefers to remain anonymous.
In other words, the radical discourse of the former CNews star is like honey to their ears when he attacks, throughout his speech, "LGBT minorities" and other "gender theory".
"A short-term political defeat can however transform into a long-term cultural victory", writes Eric Zemmour in his last essay on the subject of the MPT.
In 2019, he explained in Le Figaro that the demonstrators who marched against the PMA for all could end up "overturning the table" if they ally "with the popular classes".
Precisely what he claims to be able to do via the identity question.
"A certain number of people in our region appreciate Eric Zemmour, that's obvious," admits Ludovine de La Rochère, president of the MPT.
But his association, which wants to be apolitical, will not officially line up behind a presidential candidate.
It will publish everyone's responses to a demands questionnaire.
This does not prevent him from observing that Valérie Pécresse has "returned her jacket 180%" or that Marine Le Pen "speaks little about bioethical laws".
"He fills all the boxes and meets an echo with our militant base which finds in him what they no longer find in LR"
Laurence Trochu, President of the Conservative Movement (formerly Sens commun)
A political emanation of the MPT, the Conservative Movement (formerly Common Sense) will take a stand.
If its president, Laurence Trochu, will discuss this Tuesday morning with Michel Barnier, candidate for the LR congress who will designate the Republican champion for 2022, she has already exchanged with Eric Zemmour last spring to present his "priorities".
“He fills all the boxes and meets an echo with our militant base which finds in him what they no longer find in LR.
The conservatives have been orphans since we know that Wauquiez and Retailleau are no longer candidates, ”assumes the leader of this party… associated with LR.
Guests at the "Conservatism Day" on September 26, neither Michel Barnier nor Valérie Pécresse came.
Eric Zemmour, yes.
But before deciding to support a candidate, Laurence Trochu wants to “watch the legislative elections”.
Understand: negotiating investitures for its 200 elected officials after a disappointing harvest with LR in 2017.
Read also Zemmour wants to return to parity
That's good, if he runs for the Elysee, Eric Zemmour will also have to align legislative candidates.
"Zemmour is looking for people who have networks at LR and at the RN to weaken them," said a former employee of Sens commun.
Exactly what the networks resulting from the MPT can provide him ... A beautiful marriage of convenience in prospect.
