Back on the first round
On March 15, out of seven registered candidates, it was the outgoing mayor, Pierre Cuny, which came out on top, with the honorable score of 32.39%. The former first deputy of Anne Grommerch, who had taken up the torch at the death of the latter, in April 2016, appeared for the first time, without political label, at an electoral deadline as head of list. A logical result, in reference to the outgoing bonus, without wearing the colors of a plebiscite.
Because the real surprise of the first round of municipal elections in Thionville is undoubtedly the score collected by the former mayor of Terville, Patrick Luxembouger. The last-minute guest, after a two-week lightning campaign, finished second, with an encouraging 23.45% of the vote. After having mentioned during his campaign that he would retire if he arrived behind Pierre Cuny “so as not to leave the field open to the socialist Bertrand Mertz”, he has since changed his mind and decided to maintain his candidacy.
Behind, Bertrand Mertz, the former mayor of Thionville (from 2008 to 2014), historically socialist even if he did not run for the party of his heart, came third with 19.85% of the vote.
The environmental candidate Guy harau closes the march of candidates invited to the second round with 12, 60% of the vote. A score all in all disappointing with regard to his dynamic campaign and especially the results obtained by his party during the last European elections.
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Triangular or quadrangular?
As it stands, the very idea of an alliance between Pierre Cuny and Patrick Luxembourger appears illusory, even fanciful, as the two men seem as irreconcilable as at antipodes. Which is apparently not the case for Bertrand Mertz and Guy Harau. Only here, since their joint candidacy in 2008, their relations would have been considerably refreshed. So much so that the environmental candidate would drag his feet to answer calls … from the foot of candidate Mertz. However, mathematically, only their union would give them a chance to access responsibilities again. While hoping that the two other candidates, deemed right or assimilated, short-circuit.
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What campaign?
Traditionally, candidates admitted to the second round have only one week to convince the last undecided. There, they find themselves facing a boulevard of just over a month. Knowing that, health crisis requires, they will not be allowed to hold meetings, go door-to-door and even less to visit the Ehpad! We will therefore have to be imaginative and offer a virtual campaign, with all the excesses that this implies, especially on social networks. So it’s up to everyone to be responsible, candidates first, but also commentators who are supporters (or not) of all stripes. And that is not won …
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What about abstentionism?
In the first round, when France had taken the decision the day before to close bars and restaurants to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic, the abstention rate in Thionville reached the record percentage of 65% (against just over 40% in 2014). Almost three months later, it seems likely that voters have become familiar with barrier gestures or wearing a mask and that the psychosis of the disease has subsided considerably, even though the virus is still present. Now, very clever who can claim which of the four candidates will benefit the most from this return – hoped – of voters …
> Read also: The four candidates in the starting blocks
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