• The day after the publication of his book, Eric Zemmour made a stopover in Toulon for the first date of his signing tour. 

  • A literary meeting that had the air of a political rally for those who are seriously considering running for the presidential election. 

From our special correspondent in Toulon

In front of the Toulon convention center, young people pull in front of a compact and somewhat impatient crowd.

Eric Zemmour's face is drawn on glossy paper.

"We are young people with Zemmour, launches a very clean teenager on him.

We are there to support him in his candidacy.

"

In a few minutes, the famous polemicist will take the stage in a packed room, facing 800 people ready to pay no less than twenty euros requested by the festival which invites him to see their idol.

For the occasion, Lucie and Anatole even had T-shirts made where the portrait of Eric Zemmour resides prominently, on their hearts.

"It's a dream," Lucie is moved.

We've been thinking about what he is for years.

And finally, he is thinking of going there too.

"

"Zemmour president"

Officially, this Friday evening marks the end of the Toulon Summer Talks literary festival. Officially, Eric Zemmour came to the Var prefecture for a “literary meeting”. But during the one-and-a-half-hour meeting, everything looks like a meeting in this room, which has been won over to the cause of the polemicist.

First of all, there is the standing ovation of a crowd which welcomes him with “President Zemmour”.

There is the applause at regular intervals when Eric Zemmour unrolls what looks like an outline of a program, in response to the rather kind questions of the president of the festival on the contents of his new book,

France has not said its last word,

appeared the day before.

"Decidedly, you still agree with me," even launches Eric Zemmour to the audience with a jubilant smile.

"I am a candidate for the debate"

The main themes of what made the polemicist famous are there, from "foreign enclaves on French soil which do not respect the law" to feminists whose struggles are contrary to women. The polemicist also comes with political proposals, such as an outline of a program for the presidential election, for example with the exit from the European court of human rights. "I am a candidate for the debate, chants under a round of applause Eric Zemmour. Next week, I will face Jean-Luc Mélenchon and I am delighted. "

To a man in the room who gives him a list of ideas that he wants Eric Zemmour to carry in the event of a candidacy, the polemicist launches: “So, you are going to have to vote for me.

“Asked about the subject later, Eric Zemmour claims to have made a“ joke ”.

At his side, a certain Olivier Ubéda watches over the grain, as a "consultant in political and public communication" paid by Eric Zemmour in person.

This man in the shadows is known to have been the strategist of Nicolas Sarkozy's campaign in 2007 or of Bruno Le Maire for the right-wing primary in 2016.

"It looked a bit like a meeting"

“It was only an interview, assures Eric Zemmour. I answered questions. I've been arrested for months, but I'm choosing my moment to say if I'm a candidate. I have the right to choose. It's in my best interest. "" He meets the readers before meeting the voters, assures Olivier Ubéda. He said to them: "bet on me" before telling them "elect me" "Could the money paid by these readers be used for his electoral campaign? "I do not know", launches Eric Zemmour, who indicates to think about the financing of his candidacy.

In the room in any case, the (e) readers share the same feeling. "It was not a literary meeting, slice Magdalena. In any case, I came to show my political support. Literary support, he already has it when you buy his book. We cannot love the author Eric Zemmour and not support the candidate. "It looked a bit like a meeting, to test the waters," Cyril concedes. It's a bit disguised, but it's not mean. I think he will announce his candidacy later, after having toured France. In any case, if he does show up, I will vote for him. "

When the time for the dedications to come, outside the room, a young woman arrives not with the last book of the polemicist under her arm, but a poster in 4 by 3 indicating Zemmour 2022. The polemicist draws his pen and signs next to it. of the famous date.

The journalists are surprised.

"Well what, isn't this poster pretty?"

», Jubilant Eric Zemmour.

This Saturday, the polemicist continues his tour in Nice for a new meeting organized by him this time.

Particularity: it will be preceded by a "stroll", to meet the people of Nice, on the flower market.

A first for Eric Zemmour.

"He will take selfies, squeeze pliers", summarizes Olivier Ubéda.

As a campaign candidate in short?

“I love to walk, you know,” Eric Zemmour retorts with a smile.

And maybe make it work, too ...

People

Hapsatou Sy accuses Eric Zemmour of harassing her with the support of the management of the Canal + group

Politics

Nîmes: Mayor LR withdraws his delegations from an elected official who supports Eric Zemmour

  • Presidential election

  • Toulon

  • Candidate

  • Meeting

  • Eric Zemmour