François Xavier Bellamy, the head of the list for the Les Républicains party in the upcoming European elections, is working to boost his campaign in Toulouse, a city known for its aerospace industry. He believes that the key division in the elections is between himself and Raphaël Glucksmann, rather than between Macron and Le Pen. Despite current polls showing Glucksmann at around 12% to 14% and Bellamy at 6.5% to 8%, Bellamy remains confident that the race is far from decided, as voters may not yet be focused on the June 9th election. He emphasizes the need for patience and determination in building support for his campaign.
In Toulouse, a traditionally left-leaning city that has elected moderate-right mayors, Bellamy criticized the left-wing European parties for their stances on issues such as agricultural decline, promotion of the hijab in Parliament, and lax border controls. At a campaign event, he revisited his 2019 campaign strategy of holding numerous meetings and rallying young supporters to counter his older image. Despite some criticism from within the party, including from local MP Aurélien Pradié, Bellamy is rallying support and presenting a united front within Les Républicains.
The campaign event in Toulouse, attended by local right-wing supporters, featured an unexpected appearance by Aurélien Pradié, the only LR MP from Occitanie who has previously been critical of Bellamy’s conservative approach. However, for the sake of party unity, Pradié set aside his differences with Bellamy and emphasized the importance of presenting a united front within the party. This display of solidarity suggests a willingness to set aside past disagreements in order to focus on the upcoming election.
Bellamy’s relationship with Eric Ciotti, the LR party president, has also evolved. In the past, Bellamy supported Ciotti’s decision to sanction Pradié over his opposition to pension reforms, but their relationship seems to have mended. The two politicians showed a sense of camaraderie during a visit to a local inn in Lot, where they met with vineyard owners affected by recent hailstorms that destroyed nearly 90% of their crops. This display of solidarity and support for local businesses highlights Bellamy’s efforts to connect with voters on a personal level and show his commitment to addressing local issues.
As the election draws closer, Bellamy and his team are working to ignite the spark of the LR campaign and mobilize support among voters. Despite facing challenges from other parties, including support for Glucksmann among left-wing voters, Bellamy remains focused on drawing attention to his vision for the future of France and Europe. With the support of party members like Pradié and local activists, Bellamy is working to build momentum and increase his chances of success in the European elections.
