"Lassalle, president!", Chanted for several minutes a crowd of excited supporters, mainly young people, then intoned with the deputy of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques the Occitan anthem "Se canta".

"There is something happening in this country: a desire to celebrate, to free oneself, the desire to take control of one's destiny", affirmed Mr. Lassalle in front of a crowded room, addressing "all these young people who want things to finally change".

Young RSA, zero-rate student loan of 20,000 euros, intergenerational housing... The candidate has listed a series of proposals specially intended for "young generations who no longer find their place in today's France".

A few hours earlier in the center of Toulouse, in front of the bus with his effigy which crosses France, the former shepherd of Béarn indulged in a session of selfies, signing his book, but also t-shirts, or more unusual objects such as a skateboard or a bottle of Ricard.

Jean Lassalle, presidential candidate of the Résistons movement!

at a meeting in Toulouse, April 4, 2022 Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

"The French were bored. It was a campaign in which they absolutely did not find themselves, where we talked about almost everything except their problems. And as always, it is the young people who find the key, who breathe life into it. energy," Lassalle told reporters.

He promised to "ensure that young people regain a taste for life".

"And admit that I still have some skills" to get there, added the candidate, laughing.

"It's like being in a concert hall, it's madness, I didn't think that a political meeting could generate such euphoria. It's even better than a rockstar!", Says Joëlle Tiers, a student 25 years old.

"He is the only candidate who is really like us, who speaks our language, who makes you want to vote and get involved," continues the young woman.

A little further, Jany Escarguel, 36, is queuing for a dedication.

"He is the only humanist, honest and humble candidate. He is not financed by big capital, and for me that is important", considers this plumber and heating engineer.

Jean Lassalle, presidential candidate of the Résistons movement!

campaigning in Toulouse, April 4, 2022 Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

Jean Lassalle, who wants to be the spokesperson for French rurality, also repeated that France was a "soft dictatorship".

"A financial dictatorship, (...), a system where if you get out of the way, we're not going to hurt you, we're going to leave you on your own and wait for you to dry out".

At the end of his meeting, he made an appointment with all his supporters in a bar in Toulouse.

© 2022 AFP