Jean-Pierre DAUGREILH, the FN candidate in the 1st constituency, is somewhat the surprise of this election, especially in this constituency where the anticipated high profile contest is between the outgoing MP with national ambitions, Eric Ciotti—president of the Departmental Council—and the former Identitarian, regional councilor Philippe Vardon, who has established himself as the pivot of Marine Le Pen’s party in the Côte d’Azur capital.
In the end, it will be this regional councilor and opposition councilor in the Vence municipal council who will attempt to create the surprise (and what a surprise it would be if it happens!)
A man of experience, with the physique of a rugby player and full of energy despite his gray hair, he has the pragmatic approach of a former business leader: “Merely adopting the ‘REM’ label doesn’t mean one need not propose concrete solutions to the problems faced by our fellow citizens.”
His campaign themes do not stray from the classic line of the party he represents:
Security, or rather insecurity: “This is a fact, and against facts, there are no arguments. We don’t fight against insecurity through declarations, however thunderous they may be.”
To address this, he advocates “an uncompromising fight against ‘Islamic State’ and its ramifications. Strengthening our police, gendarmerie, and customs forces. Re-establishing effective control at our borders.”
A second point is immigration. Here too, his “recipe” is one of the most classic: “We should be able to welcome in dignified conditions those who knock at our door. We all know, and it’s not necessary to have attended ENA to know, that one of the solutions to the problem of migratory flows is to enable migrants’ countries of origin to break free from the economic tutelage of financial organizations that exploit their resources shamelessly.”
His program also provides for the removal of taxes on essential goods for schoolchildren to allow their families to maintain their purchasing power.
Regarding the economic policy announced by the new President of the Republic, his opposition is clear and the reasoning is evident: “Our already poor purchasing power will take another hit.”
And he explains: “The ISF, renamed ISFI, will solely target homeowners, those who, during their whole lives, worked tirelessly to own property. The increase of the CSG will affect those who have contributed through their labor to the economic development of the country, namely retirees.”
Finally, as a good “patriot,” he views with suspicion the pro-European and globalist orientation of the new occupant of the Elysée who will gain momentum if the presidential majority succeeds in the legislative elections: “It is not a crime to want to protect our national identity, our culture, our values,” he asserts as a man of convictions.
Attacked from all sides, on the left by Robert Injey who dreams of replicating the Insoumis’ achievement in the presidential election, at the center by the sparkling Caroline Riverso who is riding the Macron wave, on the far right by a solid candidate targeting the foundation of a loyal electorate, Eric Ciotti will have to fully commit to maintaining his seat and gaining momentum to aspire to national responsibilities.
What should have been a walk in the park for him, will instead be a tough challenge.
Between the right and the far-right, as shown by the analysis of the vote in the last presidential election, the porosity of their respective electorates is an acknowledged fact.
In this perspective, Jean-Pierre Daugreilh fully intends to be the disruptor of this electoral competition. Will he succeed in doing so?
