High flying maneuver? Political opportunism? Low blow or survival? Whether it likes it or not, the merger in Strasbourg last Tuesday, a few minutes before the closing of the deposit of the LREM and LR lists, surprised everyone. Alain Fontanel (LREM) and Jean-Philippe Vetter (LR) assure "to have taken their responsibilities". After this rebound in a municipal campaign so far rather calm and almost written, how is this decision perceived?
"In three words, what happened is naivety, ego and political expediency", summarizes political scientist Philippe Breton, editorial director of the Observatory of political and social life in Alsace (Ovipal). Result: "many voters are now expecting, a little disoriented".
Bruno Studer, Alsatian deputy LREM, recalls that doors were and remain open. “There were other possible scenarios. It is perhaps one of the most unexpected which ended yesterday, because at the same time, it would have been possible to work with Catherine Trautmann (PS). It may be done later, we don't know. We could have imagined an even wider union. But you had to take responsibility. "
"Responding to the economic emergency"
The deputy acknowledges that beyond the obvious convergence between the LREM and LR lists, "there was a real risk, identified, of leaving the city of Strasbourg and the Eurometropolis in the hands of the far left. ”Blaming the environmentalist list“ the impossibility for anyone to get along with it ”, the alliance with the Republicans responded above all to the economic emergency to which the future municipal team will have to respond. “I don't see how, alone, we can consider ourselves in a position to respond to all the challenges that will arise. "
Same vision for MEP Anne Sander, The Republicans. The latter emphasizes that “it is not an agreement that was decided at the national level, but a local agreement, motivated by a sense of responsibility. Did he have a choice? Asked the member. It was necessary at all costs to block the ecological candidacy. The MEP also stresses the importance of defending the seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which the Greens have always opposed. Without forgetting the “accessibility issues of Strasbourg. "
Fear of losing voters? Feed abstention? To discredit politicians? "No," replied the member. It is a positive dynamic which shows the sense of responsibility of these candidates. "More reserved on this possible electoral dynamic, Philippe Breton tempers:" There was clearly a political manipulation. It is, of course, not illegal, and voters will judge. Analysis made, this "maneuver has borne fruit since it created an atmosphere of negotiation between environmentalists and PS which made them exclude from the framework of their negotiations the fact that there could be a solution on the other side. "
MUNICIPAL RESULTS IN STRASBOURG
If the maneuver can work mathematically, it remains to be seen what will be done by “left-wing voters, who joined LREM in good faith by thinking that the old world was over, that we would be doing more political politics”, wonders Philippe Breton. "Knowing if they are not turning away from this election or even changing their vote on June 28 ... What about the abstention of voters who no longer find themselves there. One thing is certain, this LREM LR alliance suggests a lively in-between-towers campaign but also food for thought.
Municipal
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