“I came because the future of our children is at stake“, explains Awa, 43 years old. Naturalized in 2021, this is the first time that she has voted in a presidential election. “It’s very important for me to come“, she smiles, showing her voter card.
At his side, his daughter, Bintou, 24, is sorry for the situation. “Frankly, there is no longer any middle class, it is becoming more and more difficult to get by even if you study. And then, there is also this relentlessness on the veil, on Muslims and all these assimilations with terrorists. So we come to vote a little out of obligation and it will be for Mélenchon because things have to change.”
Mobilisation surprise
At the entrance to the Paul Langevin school where polling station no. 3 is set up this Sunday, April 10, the queue of voters lengthens at 4:00 p.m. “We are pleasantly surprised confides the president of the polling station. This morning we were a little scared, there weren’t many people.” The participation rate had then exceeded 65% (it will eventually reach 68.26%). “Out of 882 registered, it’s not bad at all, it’s much more than in the municipal elections.”
For Mohamed, 19, and Raïd, 21, this is the first participation in an election. “We voted for the worst, Mélenchon. He said he would act for purchasing power.”
Everyone has their own reasons for going to the ballot box. Sales student Thomas voted blank. “But we had to vote because otherwise we have no right to complain afterwards.” Naïma, meanwhile, came pushed by her parents. “They are the ones who told me to come because it could help us for a new accommodation.“, she says.
Sans conviction
Outside, Djam, 52, was undecided until the last minute. “It was my 11 year old daughter who finally convinced me which candidate to vote for. I think it’s the only possible choice of hope, especially when you see the place occupied by Zemmour and Le Pen. People don’t hide anymore.” Jam is also angry with the media which, according to her, have allowed far-right candidates to occupy so much space. “You [ndlr les journalistes] constantly send back the same image of Muslims, she protests, and especially the suburbs, always talking about the worst, as if we were all just scum.”
Fouad, 31, will keep the name of his favorite secret. “I followed the programs, but I don’t have too many convictions. Covid, Ukraine, the economic crisis that is coming, all that does not help. I have a feeling it’s even going to get worse“, he breathes.
On a bench, Claudette, 84, chats in the sun with Dominique, ten years her junior. “I voted out of duty, because we don’t do enough for ecology, because there is too much racial segregation. But I think my candidate will not pass. What reassures me is that I saw a lot of young people come to vote“, she confides.
At polling station No. 3, Jean-Luc Mélenchon totaled 55.69% of the vote, far ahead of Emmanuel Macron (13.41%) and Marine Le Pen (9.85%).
