Charles Guyard, edited by Laura Laplaud 9:30 a.m., March 12, 2022

As the first round of the presidential election draws closer, a race against time begins for candidate Anne Hidalgo.

The socialist collapsed in the polls and is now credited with 5%.

At a meeting on Friday in Rennes, some of its supporters are wondering: will the Socialist Party recover on the financial side?

Less than a month before the first round of the presidential election, all initiatives are good to take for the mayor of Paris.

Anne Hidalgo will be one of the demonstrators this Saturday in Paris gathered to highlight the climate in the presidential campaign.

Because the socialist candidate is in great danger in the polls, currently credited with less than 5% of the voting intentions.

As a result, some supporters are worried about the party's finances.

A meeting with voters that "does not happen"

Mugs at 8 euros, scarves at 6 euros, behind his merchandise stand, Robert is rather confident.

“It works very well,” he testifies.

A good thing for the Socialist Party (PS) because four weeks before the first round, Anne Hidalgo, in a meeting on Friday in Rennes, is struggling to take off.

“Come and help us”, launches the candidate to her audience. 

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The polls are also unanimous: the socialist candidate is even far from the famous 5% which ensures reimbursement of campaign expenses.

"Let's imagine for a moment, the day after," she proclaimed during her meeting.

Except that this day after worries the militants.

"It's very sad", "there is zero chance of going up to 5%", "there is a meeting that does not happen, I am desperate", they blow.

"For me, the PS is over"

"For me the PS is over", slips a sympathizer.

"Nobody wants to put money in a failure," says another member.

Starting with some local sections of the PS which, according to

Le Figaro

, would even refuse to put their hands in their pockets.

Internal friction swept away by Johanna Rolland, the campaign manager.

"Our concern is to respond to the French. This campaign is funded, it will continue to the end. We will get every voice," she thunders.

The voices of abstentionists mainly because it is in this reservoir, which represents nearly 30%, that the PS intends to draw its ultimate strength.