Legislative elections 2024: the political reactions of the Béziers mundillo after the surprising results of the second round

Sunday evening, at the town hall, observers observed the victory of Julien Gabarron and the defeat of outgoing MP Emmanuelle Ménard. Diane Petitmangin – Midi Libre

The outgoing MP, Emmanuelle Ménard, although re-elected two years ago in the first round, suffered a heavy defeat this Sunday, July 7, during the second round of the legislative elections, against the RN candidate, Julien Gabarron. Magali Crozier, the representative of the New Popular Front, was not unworthy. Reaction of some of the actors in the political world of Béziers.

They stopped by the town hall this Sunday, July 7 in the evening or were contacted by telephone. Here are the reactions of the main political forces present in Béziers and Biterrois. 

Jérôme Toulza, referent “Together” (presidential majority)

Jérôme Toulza, Béziers representative for “Ensemble”: “Our announced death was perhaps a little premature”. PIERRE SALIBA/Midi Libre – PIERRE SALIBA

"From the first round, I think it was over. Emmanuelle Ménard was undoubtedly missing a label, we can clearly see that the legislative elections are a party election. Even if I'm not on her side, I know that she was invested and worked a lot. Finally, the Biterrois chose to put themselves in the minority with Julien Gabarron because the latter will not have the advantage either at the town hall or in the Assembly.

At the national level, the Republican front worked. It's been a long time since we've seen that. With a huge turnout, “Ensemble” held up better than expected. Our predicted death was probably a bit premature. But for now, the National Assembly looks a lot like those of the Fourth Republic, it's not a given for either side. People must now act in the public interest and not by following that of their parish.

Nicolas Cossange, opposition municipal councilor (PCF)

Nicolas Cossange, the departmental secretary of the PCF, believes that we must “reconquer the popular electorate”. Diane Petitmangin – Midi Libre

"I note that this 2nd round, which was unique in France since it pitted two far-right candidates against a single candidate from the left, the constituency ;rsquo;is awakened with a very majority far right and a left which now has a whole field of construction and above all of reflection to be carried out quickly. Think in particular about why the French people in general and those of Béziers in particular saw in the RN an alternative to the policy led by Emmanuel Macron ?

Above all, it is not a question of pointing fingers at each other's electoral choices but of accepting democracy. It is now up to us to analyze it and win back the popular electorate of this city to rebuild a left that meets the challenges that are ours. At the national level, members of the Communist Party will meet this Monday to analyze the vote, so I definitely do not want to preempt the debate. Now, it will be necessary to build a government which must succeed in the challenge of bringing together a deeply divided French people, which must be capable of carrying out the program of rupture of the New Popular Front and finally, to build, all together, a left which finally does not disappoint. ;quot;.

Thierry Mathieu, regional councilor (socialist majority and citizens)

Thierry Mathieu, regional councilor, believes that “we must govern differently and debate to convince, not to crush”. Diane Petitmangin – Midi Libre

"In the Béziers constituency, I think that many of us feel these results as a sanction. This confirms that in politics, there must be honesty between what we say and what we do, otherwise we lose credibility. For the future, I believe that Béziers will need people who serve it and not who use it. I want to believe that tomorrow, we will be able to encourage a vote of support around a project driven by values, and not relive yet another sanction vote. The defeat of the outgoing MP leads to an erosion of their local politics.

Finally, the vote of the French requires that all elected deputies put themselves at the service of the general interest. It will be necessary to debate to convince and not to impose.

Thierry Antoine, opposition municipal councilor (Greens)

For Thierry Antoine, democracy is also “the art of exchange, discussion and compromise”. Michael Esdourrubailh/Midi Libre

“At the national level, I am relieved, satisfied and ultimately very proud of the country and the turnout. The message is clear: people mobilized because they did not want the RN in power. Having been a proportional representation activist for a long time, we have by accident a proportional National Assembly, an exact photo of the French vote. Rather than being afraid, I find it very interesting. We will have to learn the art of compromise, of discussion. Ultimately, that is politics and democracy.

At the local level, it is different. We knew that the far right would keep this seat, the only difference is that we are changing leaders. The surprise is the score. For an outgoing MP, this is a stinging defeat. Mr. and Mrs. Ménard used to each say “my city” when talking about Béziers, maybe that wasn't the case but more the RN label that allowed them to have these stratospheric scores like two years ago.

Finally, I salute the score of Magali Crozier, who ran a great campaign. But we now have to work because it is not normal that in a city like Béziers, it is the RN that embodies the alternative to the Ménard couple. It's our mission: to work together.”

Jacques Dandine, Les Républicains

Anne-Marie Raysséguié, opposition municipal councilor (Les Républicains) and Jacques Dandine, LR delegate for the 6th constituency are convinced that their party will reinvent itself. Diane Petitmangin – Midi Libre

"In Biterrois, this is a disavowal of Ms. Ménard, who is greatly behind. Should we see this as the work of his lack of presence on the ground for seven years, this is possible, especially when we look at the scores in the villages. She may also have been sanctioned by proxy… It must be recognized that she worked a lot in the National Assembly but the fact of not being in a party at all made her invisible. And in Biterrois, it brought nothing, whether in terms of economics or security.

As for the national plan, we have pollsters who have gone completely astray and given the results, the situation is going to be very difficult in the weeks and months to come. Nevertheless, the result of this Sunday will allow us to reinvent ourselves; we remain around 60 deputies, excluding the “Ciotistes”. And a window of opportunity for municipal and departmental elections opens, while new faces appear like Aurélien Pradié or David Lisnard, who will allow us to reaffirm ourselves.

Robert Ménard, mayor of Béziers

The mayor of Béziers Robert Ménard denounces “the clans and political parties” which cost his wife his seat. SYLVIE CAMBON/Midi Libre

Robert Ménard, on his wife's defeat: "I feel a feeling of injustice because she is one of the most present deputies in the Assembly. It was a vote of choice and we don’t have a position. It was also a national campaign. However, a deputy votes for laws but he also defends a territory […] Partisan and clan logic are the bane of this country. I am worried about the national level and there will be consequences for Béziers. In terms of security, for example, we plead for having CRS for the feria. But we are going to plead with whom ?".

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