2024 Legislative Elections. “We listened to the people”: Patricia Mirallès ready to return to the fight in the 1st constituency of Hérault

L'ancienne secrétaire d'Etat aux Anciens combattants Patricia Mirallès remet son mandat de députée en jeu. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

La députée sortante Patricia Mirallès se présente avec l'étiquette de la majorité présidentielle Ensemble pour la République face à six autres candidats. Elle défens son action au secrétariat d'Etat aux Anciens combattants à la Mémoire. 

This is the second time in a few months that you have had to pack up the Invalides, after the reshuffle and dissolution, what state of mind are you in ?

Always the same: combative. When I was elected in 2017, I never let go of the circus until 2022. I am in continuity, the mayors know it, I am in the fight, always with the same desire to serve.

What assessment do you draw from your experience as Secretary of State for Veterans and Memory ?

I have the chance to form a political couple with my deputy Philippe Sorez. I took office on July 5, 2022, he became a deputy. He worked on subjects complementary to mine. I came every weekend. This doubled our work power. The ministerial experience allowed me to open up to the state function and the management of a budget. I increased veterans' benefits twice. Indexing pensions to inflation is a response for those who cannot work more. I responded to the families of the injured with very strong actions. Previously, the Ministry of the Armed Forces claimed the overpayment from women whose husbands had carried out external operations and who had died on "the wrong date". It's over. I have restored the nobility of this ministry created for pensions. In my constituency, there are 22% retirees. We need to take care of it.

There is a rejection of Macronie, it is more difficult to represent the presidential majority ?

The label Together for the Republic is the refoundation of the central block. We return to the elections having listened to the people. This is not a presidential election. The president had two options: remain in the face of chaos or return to the voters. Either you are with the Republic, or you are against it. 

"Against the Republic" : you are talking about the RN or the New Popular Front ?

For me it's both. When we see what happened in the National Assembly, it's not bringing down the Republic ? I don't want the French to be manipulated by making believe that a program can change the face of the world. The only value that interests me is work. 

What is the key measure of your program?

The defense of purchasing power with the reduction in the electricity bill by 15% at the end of the year. What we are proposing is exemption from charges for employers when they pay bonuses to their employees. We must continue to lower taxes to restore purchasing power to the French and prevent businesses from leaving France.