REPORT. "How come they can't agree?": One year after the dissolution of the National Assembly, the French have doubts about politics

A year after the dissolution of the National Assembly, franceinfo returned to a constituency where the left had withdrawn to block the National Rally. Voters share their experiences of regret, resignation, and cautious hope.

On June 9, 2024, Emmanuel Macron announced on the evening of the European elections, won by the National Rally, the dissolution of the National Assembly and the organization of new legislative elections. The result of this early election: Marine Le Pen's party defeated thanks to a Republican blockade organized in more than 200 constituencies and three blocs at the Palais Bourbon. A reflection of a fractured France.

We returned to one of those constituencies where the left withdrew in favor of the Macron camp. It's the first constituency in Loiret, with a very rural part and another, on the contrary, very urban, corresponding to the suburbs of Orléans with its pretty houses and, opposite, the housing project. In the first round in 2024, Renaissance, the New Popular Front, and the National Rally are neck and neck. Ghislaine Kounovski, from the left, placed second by 69 votes and decided to withdraw.

We met this retired pharmacist at her home in the Source district, a so-called sensitive area that had largely voted for her. "I've lived here for 40 years, and I'm happy here," says the former candidate. "I worked for 30 years in a pharmacy in Source, where I had customers of over 70 nationalities. It was fascinating."

She explains that she does not regret having withdrawn, "but things still need to change," believes Ghislaine Kounovski: "The Republican Front worked, but the result is that we are unable to secure a majority. My main decision was in line with my republican commitment. People know me, they had trouble understanding when they said to me: 'But you were at 69 votes!' Except that they did not see the danger behind it. One more RN deputy and perhaps a majority in the National Assembly. And I said to them: 'You, the people in the working-class neighborhoods, what will become of you?'"

What do these voters think a year later? Ghislaine Kounovoski and I left the housing estate and headed to the council housing across the street. We met Hafsa, who remembered the left-wing candidate's withdrawal from the legislative elections. "She prevented the National Rally from winning. She was right, but maybe if she had stayed until the end, there would have been a slight comeback, we don't know..." , explains the student. She emphasizes that the Republican barrier has not slowed the progress of the RN's ideas.

"It's a bit scary, we don't know which direction we're going to go in, so we need to get more involved, especially us young people."

A desire to get involved that is no longer shared by his neighbor, Loic, who works in a car wash. In one year, this divorced father has lost what was left of his desire to vote. "Look at the Prime Ministers who have come and gone, it's nonsense! " laments Loïc. "A Prime Minister can't do his job in such a short time, it was too short. How come they can't get along? Whether they're right or left, there are realities, we can't ignore them. I live here and I'm a bit forced to, but I realize that the population is actually very rich and very respectful. There are things that aren't right, that's for sure, but it's not because they're foreigners, that has nothing to do with it." He would like a much calmer climate: "But we have to go to the people, we have to talk with them, we have to understand their expectations. There are solutions, but they are not extremes, that's for sure."

In this constituency, however, 28% of voters chose the National Rally in the first round, especially in rural areas. We go to Mareau-aux-Prés, 20 minutes from Orléans, where 1,700 people live. Clément is leaving the town hall, where he has just entered into a civil partnership. Like four out of ten voters, he voted RN in both rounds and still hasn't gotten over the Republican barrage.

"It's not normal. It's a bit like cheating. I'm frustrated, of course, because we would like things to change, but in the end, they don't, and in fact, they never will."

The young soldier is therefore waiting for the next elections without conviction, and the same goes for Michel, 30, a warehouse worker at Amazon. "In the presidential elections, I voted for Marine Le Pen ," explains the soldier. "Why not try? It couldn't be worse anyway. But in itself, I have the impression that no matter who we vote for, it won't change."

Some people, especially activists, still believe in it a little. In downtown Orléans, we find those who don't have the easiest role: Macronists. "Our job as activists is to be on the ground, to listen to people ," explains one activist. "A good idea isn't about whether it's right-wing or left-wing." "Can't municipal elections also help bring about progress on this? " asks another activist. "Inevitably, coalitions will be formed in the middle of a major city. We can hope to find ourselves with elected officials who will spread the good word and then, later, in the National Assembly, defend it."

A hope that the municipal elections will give a boost to political life because they address the daily lives of the French. A desire for calm and stability: in two days in this Loiret constituency, we have not heard anyone call for a new dissolution.