Jérémy left his Limousin cow stand for a few minutes to head towards the crowd, towards the location intended for the dairy economy. He makes his way between the journalists’ sound poles and the visitors’ selfie sticks. Everyone is waiting for Jordan Bardella, in the middle of a discussion with dairy cow breeders.
Jérémy was impatiently awaiting the arrival of the president of the National Rally. In any case more than that of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, the day before. “Jordan Bardella is someone who listens, unlike Emmanuel Macron who looks down on us, who is arrogant. » The young 31-year-old breeder, based in Limousin, came to understand the proposals of the RN candidate for the European elections and to see what he intends to do for farmers. “We will do everything to encourage him, in any case I think he has his place in the European Parliament, and even at the Élysée. I heard him at the breeding summit in Clermont, in October, and I found him close to the breeders, young, popular. Look, there are only young people around us. The future is them. »
“The force of opposition to the government”
There are indeed many young people among those who are firmly waiting for the president of the National Rally. Laurie and Caroline, two cousins aged 25 and 26, came to the Agricultural Show just to see it – like several visitors around them. Cereal farmers in the Troyes region, they travel back and forth during the day.
Without really having a very precise idea of the agricultural measures proposed by the National Rally, the two cousins see in Jordan Bardella the only alternative to Emmanuel Macron. “Today it is the real opposition force to the government. I don’t agree with Macron’s policies, so I support Bardella. He really says out loud what many do not dare to express: he is opposed to Brussels, he is against the tractor license and I approve of his measures on immigration. » The young girls also welcome the accessible side of the head of the RN list in the European elections. “It’s very affordable on the networks, and our generation works like that. »
Two days, two atmospheres
In fact, on the candidate’s Instagram account, the stories of his “48 hours at the agricultural show” follow one another, reflecting the atmosphere on site: a much warmer welcome than that reserved for Emmanuel Macron. The day before, the President of the Republic inaugurated the show to whistles and boos. “Ah, it’s definitely not the same atmosphere! “, mock farmers from Lot-et-Garonne, gathered with the crowd. Soon, it begins to move, as Jordan Bardella emerges from his exchange with the breeders, escorted by several bodyguards. Young farmers, followed by visitors, cheerfully chant “Jordan president!” “.
In a few seconds, the RN candidate finds himself surrounded by an army of microphones and mobile phones. Jean, 66, even took out his GoPro camera planted on a pole which he brandished above the crowd. Over the course of the elections, he has gone through all political colors: socialist, LR… “In 2017, I voted for Macron, but in 2022 I ended up voting for Marine. Because at some point, you get tired of it,” believes this retired butcher from La Rochelle. When he announced with his family that he had voted for National Rally, his brother panicked. “I think we need to stop thinking that Le Pen is the devil. Did you see all these people, this enthusiasm for Bardella? Things have changed. »
A little further on, a couple approaches, curious. “Who is this crowd for? » The name of the National Rally candidate seems to break their good mood. They sketch a tight smile, let out a « Ah… » before moving on, feeling uneasy.