French Presidential: Marine Le Pen behind Éric Zemmour in the hunt for sponsorships

Marine Le Pen (C), candidate for the presidency of the far-right French Rassemblement national (RN) party during a campaign visit to Bruay-la-Buissière, in the north of France, on February 2, 2022. AFP - FRANCOIS LO PRESTI

Text by: Julien Chavanne Follow |

Julien Chavanne Follow

1 min

If the candidate of the National Rally Marine Le Pen dominates her far-right competitor Éric Zemmour in the opinion polls, the latter the distance in the quest for the 500 sponsorships necessary for the presidential election.

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It's the race within the race.

At 65 days from the first round of the presidential election in France, the candidates have their eyes riveted on the polls, but also on the sponsorship of local elected officials.

We must find 500 before March 4 to participate in the election.

For Emmanuel Macron, it is already settled, even if he is not officially a candidate.

But for others it is more difficult. 

“ 

Absolute emergency

 ”, thus alerts the staff of the National Rally.

Accounts are not good.

At the last score of the Constitutional Council, Marine Le Pen only collected 35 sponsorships, behind Éric Zemmour and his 58 signatures.

The RN claims 430 promises from local elected officials.

There is less than a month left to find 70.

►

To read also: French Presidential: Marine Le Pen, the danger of hemorrhage

The entourage of the candidate accuses the party Les Républicains and Valérie Pécresse.

Commune communities led by the right would pressure mayors not to give their sponsorship to Marine Le Pen.

Or worse: that they sign for Eric Zemmour.

An accusation rejected in the camp of the Reconquest candidate where “vigilance” remains in order.

The quest for signatures risks polluting the next few weeks of the 

campaign

.

A trip to the West Indies is planned for Marine Le Pen.

But if sponsorships are still missing, the candidate may have to cancel it and spend time calling mayors directly.

His rival Éric Zemmour already does it every week.

He also has lunch with local elected officials on each of his field visits.

►

Also to listen: French presidential election: between E. Zemmour and Mr. Le Pen, a "clarification of political lines"

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  • Presidential France 2022

  • Eric Zemmour

  • Marine Le Pen