A pancake on the plate, a glass in hand, the activists are concentrated.
They know this important Monday and have also reserved their evening for the occasion.
While the first debate of the activists vying for the Congress of Republicans is broadcast on LCI, in partnership with
Le Figaro
, dozens of supporters of Philippe Juvin have thus met in a crêperie in his city, La Garenne-Colombes. (Hauts-de-Seine).
"
He is brilliant, he is close to people and he keeps his promises
", assures with enthusiasm Céline, Garennoise of 40 years and support of the doctor since 2001.
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Cocktails and glasses of wine on one side, hot drink and mint water on the other, the average age is rather high.
And despite their enthusiasm, all share the same lucidity: "
Philippe Juvin aims for the post of Minister of Health
", understands Christophe, 63, who recognizes the five candidates to be "
all good
" and to deserve a "
place in a government
”.
"
He is an outsider
", judge for her part Catherine, 55, not yet sure of "
what can happen
" but convinced that the city council "
will bring important themes into the debate
".
"He is faultless"
The enthusiasm is also discreet but very present in a bar in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, where a hundred or so supporters of Xavier Bertrand assiduously watch the four giant screens broadcasting the debate.
Among them, many young people, captivated by the performance of their leader, see in him "
the best placed to win
".
"
It is one of the few not to have come out of a big school like the ENA
", estimates Achille, student of 20 years.
Read also Xavier Bertrand: can the favorite of the polls win?
Each time the candidate leaves, the room wants to be receptive: applause when Xavier Bertrand explains wanting to "
put an end to lax migration
", laughter when he says that the government of Emmanuel Macron has proven its amateurism for five years ... "
He really knows France,
”says Marina, 30, who has recently joined the Republicans, with satisfaction.
“
He's also an insurer, a father, a mayor, that's admirable.
He knows the daily life of the French,
”she explains.
"
He is faultless,
" slips parliamentary support to his neighbor.
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Same excitement on the side of Valérie Pécresse, where elected officials from Ile-de-France and young supporters met in a bar in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. From the start of the evening, Serge, 28, assures us that he expects his candidate to "be
able to finally stand out from the other candidates
" and "
show her true personality
". After three hours of discussions, the results seem good: "
Valérie Pécresse is very well above the fray, she imposes herself and stands out with strong proposals and knowledge of the files
", he judges. “
It prints a new brand, this debate shows its firmness and tenacity. It's impressive how she manages to win in the midst of these personalities,
”adds Valentin, 21 years old.
A few meters away, however, the atmosphere is radically different.
For the supporters of Michel Barnier and Éric Ciotti, the choice was not to organize a public event.
Instead, some 100 young LR, anxious not to reproduce the logic of the stables which had been able to divide their political family in 2016, found themselves in a "neutral space" within the walls of the Republicans headquarters, closed to journalists.
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All thus listened religiously to the exchanges of their suitors, without expressing their preferences.
"
I expected from this debate that the candidates can present their ideas and their differences without there being ad hominem attacks, and for the moment we have the impression of this form of unity
", reports a activist.
“
They don't even dare to say who they support anymore,
” sighs another.
At the end of the evening, some did not hide their disappointment.
Although everyone is trying to see a victory for their favorite, the debate does not seem to have caused any euphoria.
And arouse the interest of the French - and activists - during the next three meetings scheduled for November could well become a real challenge.
