The PCF refuses the outstretched hand of the mayor of Pont-St-Esprit and calls for blocking the RN in municipal elections

Jean-Marie Daver et ses camarades communistes de Pont-Saint-Esprit refusent la main tendue de la maire. MIDI LIBRE – T.M.

While waiting for the prefect of Gard to set the dates for the election, things are happening behind the scenes. The Communist Party cell of Pont-Saint-Esprit thus met the mayor candidate for his succession Claire Lapeyronie to announce to her that they will not support her. The PCF also promises to do everything to beat the National Rally.

Negotiations have indeed begun between the staffs of the political parties with a view to the upcoming full municipal partial election in Pont-Saint-Esprit. While waiting for the prefect of Gard to set the dates for the election, things are happening behind the scenes. The Communist Party cell of the Porte d'Or de la Provence met the mayor candidate for her succession Claire Lapeyronie to announce to her that they will not support her. "We are waiting nevertheless recognizes Jean-Marie Daver communist activist from the very beginning. He was deputy for social affairs under the municipality of former mayor Roger Castillon and then of the one who succeeded him, Claire Lapeyronie. 

The Impossible Alliance

The companionship between the councilor and his ex-PCF allies was short-lived before the divorce that occurred in 2020 within the majority. "We met Madame Lapeyronie, we told her that we will not support any list but that we will do everything to beat the RN" declares Jean -Marie Daver. His comrade and secretary of the PCF section in Gard Rhone Elian Cellier says he regrets that the activists of the communist cell of Pont-Saint-Esprit did not accept the outstretched hand of Claire Lapeyronie and her call to participate in an alliance.

RN candidate Emmanuel Le Pargneux and MP Pierre Meurin this Saturday at the Pont-Saint-Esprit market. FREE NOON – T.M.

Ultimate negotiations

The  secretary of the communist section of Gard Rhone met the socialist Vincent Rousselot. Recently this former works deputy was one of the closest elected officials to Mayor Claire Lapyronie before falling out of favor with four other elected officials from the majority. Quiet so far, Vincent Rousselot indicated this Saturday  that he was going to publish a  communicated by the end of the week. Among the Spiripontan communists, the priority is, they say "the RN risk" Both new faces of the National Rally in Pont-Saint-Esprit roamed the aisles of the market. The head of the list Emmanuel Le Pargneux and the deputy Pierre Meurin have entered the campaign head-on. "We have an extremely positive reception on the market" they declared  convinced that local stakeholders and residents of Pont-Saint-Esprit need change".  

"Those who believe"

It must be said that on the cobblestones of Frédéric Mistral and Jean-Jaurès avenues, the sun rises a little for everyone, including rainy days like this Saturday March 9. A week earlier, Mayor Claire Lapeyronie was seen on the terrace of the PMU with her political supporters, rather relaxed. Many of the elected official's supporters were out at the market. This is the case of Michel Mermet, 80 years old, Borsalino screwed on the head. He resigned from the presidency of the twinning committee, a little disappointed by the vagaries of associative life. Former deputy for economy under the municipality of Gilbert Baumet,  Michel Mermet then moved closer to the other camp, that of Roger Castillon and Claire Lapeyronie of whom he only says good things. "We didn’ no need for this crisis, he regrets. The city was off to a good start. New businesses have opened, there is the hospital project which is underway. There are things that have been done." Michel Mermet is betting that Claire Lapeyronie will be re-elected.  Among the mayor's loyalists, there is also   former school principal Gilles Beaudet. "Pont-Saint-Esprit  needs engaged citizenshe says  in a joking tone. But he says he believes in the action of the mayor of Pont-Saint-Esprit. 

Those who are doubtful

"There are so many rumors. It's going in all directions" s’moves this worried retiree from the place  what the rumor is going on during this campaign. This elderly lady says she is divided on the results of the mayor of Pont-Saint-Esprit Claire & Lapeyronie. "I'm not throwing stones at him. 30 years ago, there were all kinds of businesses in Pont-Saint-Esprit. People from Bagnols-sur-Cèze came to Pont-Saint-Esprit to go shopping. There were five butchers. All that is gone. We are very sad. My daughter who goes all over the world does not want to bring her friends to Pont-Saint-Esprit. She tells me Mom, there's nothing to show them there!"

Red carpet for investors

It's an understatement to say that the contenders for town hall know they're waiting around the corner. Spiripontaine voters will sell their ballots dearly. This is the case of the very young boss of the Café Brasserie de la Bourse, Raphaël Mauger. "We traders are waiting to see the candidates' proposals, he warns. What do they plan to do to best support us? Today, we must stop giving red cards to investors. It would be better to roll out a red carpet for them." Raphaël Mauger is convinced, "Pont-Saint-Esprit can become the& ;nbsp;second Uzès du Gard. It’s a city that is magnificent. We must attract investors to renovate the old center. We have to make them want to come and not slow them down. When people come to settle in Pont-Saint-Esprit and they see the city in the state it is in, they come and tell me Raph, we will not invest not. We won't come to Pont-Saint-Esprit even if we have the cheapest square meter in the region. They will not come to put a euro in Pont-Saint-Esprit as things currently stand."