Éric Zemmour in Ivory Coast for a Christmas with the French soldiers

Without hood or sled, Eric Zemmour decided to visit the French troops this week.

Remained confidential until his arrival on Wednesday evening in Abidjan, the trip of the nationalist candidate to the Ivorian capital is a message sent to the armed forces in operations, four months before the 2022 presidential election.

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addresses them the leader of" Reconquest! " in a statement released on Thursday.

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In the entourage of the ex-essayist, it is stressed that

The head of state who spent New Years Eve two years ago alongside soldiers based in Abidjan preferred, this year, to cancel his visit to the side of French forces in Mali because of the Covid-19.

And this, despite tradition.

Prime Minister Jean Castex, who was also due to spend Christmas with French soldiers this year in Jordan, was also forced to cancel due to the epidemic.

The candidate's defense agenda begins to take shape

In addition to his advisor Sarah Knafo, the presidential candidate came on site with his newly appointed campaign manager, Bertrand de la Chesnais.

The general, former number two in the Army, himself prepared for Christmas Eve and organized several military meetings, in particular with the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion.

To the troops, Eric Zemmour will be able to detail his defense program, already outlined at a public meeting in Rouen (Seine-Maritime) last October: denial of European defense, increase in the defense budget to 60 billion euros, construction of new frigates and two new aircraft carriers by 2040, in particular.

No meeting with the Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, is scheduled.