With a score of 25.24% of the votes last Sunday, the FN has increased by ten points compared to the 2011 cantonal elections. The far-right party came out on top in 327 cantons and 43 departments. In the Alpes-Maritimes, it will participate in 23 run-offs.
Before meeting with the activists for a final public rally before next Sunday’s vote, Marie-Christine Arnautu and Marc-Andrรฉ Domergue, respectively number 1 and number 2 of the National Front in the Alpes-Maritimes, wanted to engage with the press, taking advantage of the presence of national leader and European parliament member Louis Aliot.
It is known that these departmental elections are only the first meeting of a trilogy for Marine Le Pen’s party, which will include the Regional elections at the end of 2015 and especially the Presidential election of 2017, where the final act of their President’s political destiny will unfold.
However, this initial attempt has allowed the Frontists to firmly root themselves in the territory and create support and momentum around their project.
The results of the first round were rather flattering and even if this time the FN was not the most-voted party (the so-called false controversy of adding up UMP and UDI votes seems completely absurd: in the 06, the alliance between the two parties is flawless. One plays the main role and the other the supporting one).
Moreover, Marie-Christine Arnautu does not hide her satisfaction: “The trend of our electoral presence is upwards; I believe this is undeniable. Our grassroots work has paid off. The most important outcome is that the FN is solidly and durably established in the department. It’s all the better if we have elected representatives.”
These remarks were echoed by Marc-Andrรฉ Domergue, himself a candidate in the Nice 8 canton: “Despite the blackmail and electoral promises of the outgoing majority, we want to have elected representatives to prevent the Departmental Council from becoming a subsidiary of the UMP and to have the possibility of making a vigorous opposition.”
Later, in the large hall of a hotel on the Promenade, Louis Aliot, in front of a large audience, gave a national political tone to his remarks: “Fighting against the FN is the only response that the other parties know how to give.”
And to conclude: “We must get these people out of all institutions.”
His words require no great explanation: the FN aims for power!
