Beyond their work, the farmers we met share the feeling of a large part of the rural world of having been “forgotten” and “abandoned” by politicians and authorities.
Although the far right obtained a large majority in rural France in the European elections of June 9los french farmers They were not his strongest supporters. Some are tempted by this vote, but others also doubt the ability of the National Rally (RN) to defend them. AND European aid, although reviled, is essential for its survival.
At the entrance of Braslow, a village of 315 inhabitants in the south of Touraine, the sign indicating the name of the municipality is still upside down. It continues backwards since the anger of the peasants set fire to the French and European countryside at the beginning of the year. A way to show that “we are walking on our heads,” explains one of those who participated in this “retreat” here and in the surrounding towns.
Mathieu is a cereal farmer who took over from his father at the head of a fairly large farm of 270 hectares. He is one of ten farmers in the commune, and also runs an agricultural machinery company that works for other farms. He is a member of the Young Farmers union (JA), close to the majority FNSEA. Politically, he identifies with Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) and Jordan Bardella.
Voted for the extreme right on June 9. He regrets that not all European farmers are subject to the same rules, that some chemicals banned in France are authorized in Spain and that Ukrainian poultry, subject to few controls, has invaded the French market: “I am not against imports, as long as trade is fair and labeling transparent“, insists.
A Macron deputy appreciated for her listening skills
On Sunday, June 30, he does not rule out voting for the re-election of Fabienne Colboc, deputy from Emmanuel Macron’s camp. She is “accessible, often on the ground, very active and listens” to the small working group formed with around twenty other farmers to supervise the measures promised by Emmanuel Macron and his government after the winter crisis.
She received them in Paris in her deputy office and accompanied them on a visit to the school canteens, the supply of which is the subject of debate. But Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly has paralyzed all ongoing work. He hopes to resume them after the election period.
Although he says he is against “Macronism”, he doubts the ability of the RN candidate, whom he does not know, to listen to and defend the farmers.
Mathieu does not forget that the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, to which RN belongs in the European Parliament, voted in favor of free trade agreements with New Zealand. The 15 French RN MEPs voted against, but this created doubts.
Besides, the local RN candidate does not organize any public meetings in the area, and RN’s agricultural program is barely mentioned. “We vote for someone we feel close tosomeone we can talk to,” he explains.
In the european elections, in all rural areas of France, the National Rally (RN) approached 40%, more than 8 points above the country as a whole. In Braslou, the RN obtained 25.4% of the votes on June 9 and the party of Marine Le Pen’s niece, Marion Maréchal, 7.5%. That is to say, 32.9% for the extreme rightslightly lower than the national average (36.8%).
Europe, a necessary evil
The rural vote is not the agricultural vote. And the weight of farmers in the population continues to decrease. Historically, most farmers vote traditional right, not far right. In the European elections, they gave 26% of their votes to the RNless than the entire French population.
And Braslou, Sylvain, which grows organic cereals on 150 hectares since 2012, did not go to the polls on June 9, like 49% of French voters. The disastrous spring weather did not give him time. She had to sow to catch up. For the legislative elections, not sure of anything.
Admit that, Without European aid, I would have to stop farming. But if “prices reflected our production costs, we would not need this aid. We need to be able to live from our trade. “I want to defend my income.”
Organic farmer, but not environmentalist
A little further away, Magali and her husband, organic farmers For three generations, they have tried to maintain a diversified production on 137 hectares: cereals (wheat, flax, sunflower, spelt, millet, etc.), free-range pigs, young cattle, etc., some of which they sell directly. They employ two people.
Magali agrees that agricultural income was the real problem during the crisis at the beginning of the year. “The European CAP is nothing more than compensation for the fact that we sell at a loss. And France adds obstacles, such as satellite overflight of organic crops to control them. A latest generation smartphone is required to connect to a specific application. Emmanuel Macron believes that digital technology will save agriculture, “he protests.
Are you convinced that conventional traditional agriculturebased on chemical fertilizers, will end up disappearing on its own.
The “forgotten” of rural areas
Without saying who he will vote for, he rules out voting for environmentalists, who are too dogmatic in his eyes, when they oppose plowing, for example. Believes that “fear of the RN is not the way“.
Beyond your work, the farmers that we met share the feeling of a large part of the rural world of having been “forgotten”, “abandoned” by politicians and authorities. Desertion of public services, inaccessible social benefits due to incomes that continue to be above the minimum… And they are scared by insecurity and immigration that they only know about through television.
