"The French don't understand anything, they're going to get what they deserve", annoys Olivier Mondet, as soon as the announcement of the defeat of his champion.

"For five years, we will still suffer and welcome a little more people from everywhere, me, I am French", underlines this 62-year-old nursing executive, at the Pavillon d'Armenonville on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, where the far-right candidate's election night.

The applause resounds when she promises to continue her "commitment to France and the French", before a Marseillaise a cappella.

"We are disappointed," his chief of staff Renaud Labaye told AFP.

"The system is still powerful, there was a before and after the first round, with all the media and associative forces which have no interest in things moving," he complains.

In the room, a few hundred supporters and at least as many journalists.

Two media, StreetPress and Les Jours, however criticized the RN for having refused their presence at the election night.

The "Marine Presidente" champagne was uncorked before the announcement of the result.

But the atmosphere is not festive, even if Marine le Pen obtained around 8 points more than in 2017.

Davy Bailleu, 25, suit and sneakers, is "very disappointed because the French still haven't understood. But we have to continue to believe in it, our score has increased. Marine was able to find the words to boost us for the legislative elections" , says this activist from Denain (North).

On the platform, Marine Le Pen talks about the future political "recomposition", in everyone's mind.

"no covenant"

Habib Sanogo, a Franco-Ivorian supporter, is convinced that Marine Le Pen must play the leading role, despite his three successive defeats in the presidential election.

"The political landscape, in five years, will be completely different. The left and the right will be looking for a leader, LREM too, the only figure who will stay there with a program to which we are accustomed, it is her", insists. -he.

RN activists after the speech of their candidate Marine Le Pen, beaten in the 2nd round of the presidential election, at the Pavillon d'Armenonville, in Paris, on April 24, 2022 Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP

What about Eric Zemmour (Reconquest), the far-right rival, who intervened on television to say "that alas this is the eighth time that defeat has struck the name of Le Pen", from Father Jean-Marie to his daughter Marine?

In the legislative elections, "there will be no alliance (with Zemmour), except in special cases", sweeps Renaud Labaye.

MEP Jean-Lin Lacapelle also tackles the former CNews polemicist: "From someone who collected 7%, we cannot say that humility scratches his lips. We understood that the survival of Reconquest goes through an agreement with the RN".

Apple juice in hand, MEP Thierry Mariani stresses the importance of the June election.

"We will have to tell all the people who voted for us to prevent him (Macron) having his hands completely free".

He also attacks the "system" which is "blocked" for the presidential election: "Everything is in league so that the patriotic camp does not come to power. Each time, it's the same scenario".

Is this Marine Le Pen's last presidential campaign?

“I hope not,” replies the RN mayor of Fréjus David Rachline.

The result "is a significant improvement compared to 2017, we are the one and only opposition force to the Macron government. We have already invested 450 candidates for the legislative elections, there is a CNI (investiture committee) in the week The RN is already at work", he assures.

Around 8:40 p.m., Marine Le Pen goes down into the room to take selfies, in the middle of an indescribable crowd.

An activist painfully tries to approach him.

"I'm trying to reach you but I can't," slips the unfortunate candidate, before a hug.

© 2022 AFP