After showing clean hands by passing through metal detectors and potentially undergoing a search if necessary, the Frontist supporters carried their leader during a 1 hour and 30 minute speech. As an appetizer, one could see on the two giant screens of the Apollo room, the interview of Jean-Marie Le Pen by Patrick Poivre d’Arvor broadcast on TF1. A few minutes later, the Frontist leader made his entrance. A small dance step, fists clenched: he appears determined and more combative than ever. Everything must be perfect for the last rally before Sunday’s first round. The presence in the front row of Louis Alliot, Marine and Jany Le Pen (daughter and wife of Jean Marie) and especially of Bruno Mégret, whose arrival was cheered, contributes to feeding the symbolism of the grand right-wing extremist gathering.
Just a few hours from arguably the most important vote of his long political career, Jean Marie Le Pen took no risks. He confined himself to playing the role he knows best: that of orator. He touched on his favorite themes: the return of the death penalty, the fight against immigration, the rejection of gay unions, and insecurity. He did not stray from his pre-written speech, avoiding any verbal slips. He stayed behind his podium, only venturing to the front of the stage for two or three minutes. Less agitated due to his age or electoral prudence? Hard to tell… 78 is perhaps the age of wisdom. From his speech, we still await his program if he were elected. He selectively commented on the news (Throne Fair, Nantes tragedy…) and criticized the three other main candidates (Royal, Bayrou, and Sarkozy) whom he calls “Thought police.” “They haven’t changed… It’s the same old story,” he insists. “Ségolène is socialism with a cuddly face.” François Bayrou was treated to a history of his political life, his ministerial feats, and some contradictions. So, it should not pose any problem if some controversial statements by the president of the National Front are brought into the limelight again… An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. For Mr. Le Pen, François Bayrou is the man of immobility because of his closeness to left-wing unions. He describes him as an “amateur breeder who talks to horses’ ears which fortunately for him do not vote” and the “paper-pusher for Lecanuet.”
The one who receives the most mockery from the Frontist tribune is Nicolas Sarkozy. For thirty minutes, he does not spare him. We discern the electoral strategy: to grab by the collar FN voters tempted to vote for the UMP candidate. He addresses him directly by calling him by his first name: “Nicolas, you…” Nicolas Sarkozy changes ideas as often as shirts, receives support from Bernard Tapie hinting at a deal over the Crédit Lyonnais affair, is the perpetual apostle of globalization, a traitor to the Nation… In short, the demonized becomes the demonizer. He accuses him of having stolen his ideas: “30 years of criticism, contempt, caricature of my ideas to ultimately adopt them today extensively and shamelessly.” He legitimizes his attacks by the mere fact of the campaign, mocking Nicolas Sarkozy’s surprise at the Le Penian criticisms. He compares this period to a boxing match where the two opponents exchange blows then greet each other at the end of each round.
After hooks, strikes, fake strikes, and uppercuts, the presidential ring has seen boxers who are not always fair-play. On Thursday in Nice, Le Pen threw below the belt punches with the intention of snatching up irrecoverable votes in a sportsmanlike manner.
