Marseille (AFP)
Jean-Claude Gaudin for Martine Vassal on the right, EELV MEP Yannick Jadot for Michèle Rubirola on the left: the main contenders for the mayor of Marseille each received on Monday, in the final stretch, the support of a figure from their camp.
Mayor (LR) for 25 years, Mr. Gaudin has renewed his support for Ms. Vassal, challenged by the opening on Saturday of a preliminary investigation into possible proxy fraud on the LR side - a "bad controversy" according to him.
"I hope that the justice system and the police will quickly demonstrate the validity of the proxies registered by the city of Marseille. The black legend of political life in Marseille is enough," insisted the councilor in an interview with Provence.
"I support the one who, by her will, her dynamism, and her experience best embodies the future of our city (...) I therefore fully support Martine Vassal and her running mate," he insisted.
Ms. Vassal, who tried several times to get rid of the label of heiress of a mayor with a very disputed record, was bitterly surprised in the first round to be overtaken by Michèle Rubirola, candidate of the Printemps Marseillais ( 23.44% of the votes against 22.3%).
Jean-Claude Gaudin also tackled this left-wing coalition that EELV joined in between the two rounds, which he believes that "inexperience, incompetence and intolerance cannot constitute a credible alternative for the second city of France ".
"Victory is at hand", retorted Michèle Rubirola, during a visit to an urban farm, at the foot of a disadvantaged city, with Yannick Jadot.
Ms. Rubirola also ironicized the threat of a "red peril" in Marseille, brandished in particular by Martine Vassal since the first round: "If advocating agriculture in the city, well-being for all, depollution, breathing it- better, it is to brandish the red cloth ... My faith, we leave them free to speak! ".
"We have a stake in moving to a peaceful, reconciled Marseille, which projects itself and which comes out of the extreme business, the extreme clientelism of those who (...) built power for them", added M Jadot.
"To have as a candidate a woman whose commitment for health, ecology, for her city, for ethics (...) has been known for years in the face of the agitation of the camp opposite (.. .) that’s really good news, "he added.
The outcome of the ballot remains very uncertain in Marseille, where voting takes place by sectors. In addition to Ms. Rubirola and Ms. Vassal, the RN candidate Stéphane Ravier came third in the city (19.45%) but his lists are the only ones to be maintained in all sectors.
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