France: in Oyonnax, Xavier Bertrand launches his marathon campaign

Audio 01:17

Things will not be easy for Xavier Bertrand, who left the Les Républicains (LR) party in 2017 (our illustration photo).

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2 min

In the race for the nomination on the right, Xavier Bertrand gave, this Thursday evening, October 14, in Oyonnax and in front of 200 activists and sympathizers, the kick-off of his marathon campaign.

Fifty trips between now and early December, in an attempt to win the tie-breaker Congress.

But things will not be easy for the one who left the Les Républicains (LR) party in 2017 and who went it alone for many months.

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With our special

correspondent

in Oyonnax,

Lucile Gimberg

“ 

There are people who are here because they have supported me for a long time.

There are people who also come to listen to what I have to offer.

And there are people who also, towards me, have regrets or resentment ”.

 Xavier Bertrand knows that he must win back the hearts of many LR activists.

Like Jean's: “ 

You don't leave the ship and you don't come back afterwards.

Afterwards, depending on his ideas that he wants to develop, we can support him, perhaps.

Me, there was Barnier whom I liked, because he's a guy who has always been straight in his boots, who has always stayed with us.

".

The " 

sirens of the extreme right

 "

Then Xavier Bertrand explains that he left Les Républicains (LR) four years ago because, according to him, the party gave in " 

to the sirens of the extreme right

 ".

It was the Laurent Wauquiez era.

And, to counter the loyalty of Michel Barnier, he hammers his own argument: his leading position in the polls on the right: “ 

And it will be played in the second round of this presidential election.

Come on, I'll tell you things as I think them, between Emmanuel Macron and me ”.

Shy applause

The room is polite, the applause timid.

But after the exchange with the militants and sympathizers, the former minister and president of the region convinced some people: “

The image of France, the value of work…

 ” for one. 

“The field approach and the pragmatic sense, knowledge…

 ” for another.

To the point of taking back his card?

Since this afternoon".

 But many are still waiting to see: "

 He made a good performance, but we still have to see the other candidates."

►Also listen: Éric Ciotti, nomination contestant The Republicans for the presidential election

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