A 90-second video featuring a woman named Colombe, aged 60, attending a meeting of the far-right political party Rassemblement national (RN) in Perpignan on May 1st has gone viral, garnering 12 million views. In the video, Colombe expresses her daily struggles and her belief in a unnamed figure who encourages her to fight against financial difficulties. The RN hopes to translate these views into votes in the upcoming European elections on June 9th. Sebastian Chenu, vice-president of the RN, sees Colombe as representative of the “forgotten France” that supports Marine Le Pen, the leader of the party. The RN aims to use Colombe’s story as a rallying cry for their campaign, similar to the impact the assault of Papy Voise had in 2002 for Jean-Marie Le Pen’s election campaign.
The far-right party, including Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, quickly capitalized on Colombe’s distress, ensuring that her story remained in the media spotlight for several days. They were keen on not allowing left-wing opponents to sway this loyal RN supporter, who has been voting for the party since Jean-Marie Le Pen’s leadership. Other politicians, such as Francois Ruffin from La France Insoumise and Leon Deffontaines from the Communist party, also reached out to Colombe, emphasizing the importance of listening to and understanding the concerns of individuals like her. The emotional appeal of Colombe’s story was further accentuated by Marine Le Pen’s phone call to her, reassuring her that help was on the way.
Marine Le Pen’s message of support for Colombe, shared on social media with a sentimental background music, aimed to show solidarity with individuals facing financial hardship. The RN also criticized Les Restos du Cœur, a charitable organization where Colombe was a volunteer, accusing them of asking for her resignation due to her political affiliation with the RN, a claim that the association denied. The political exploitation of Colombe’s situation drew attention to the larger debate around social welfare and the role of political parties in addressing the needs of vulnerable citizens. Marine Le Pen’s efforts to empower individuals like Colombe within the RN’s narrative underscored the party’s focus on connecting with disenfranchised voters.
The video of Colombe epitomizes the political strategy of using personal stories to appeal to voters and reinforce the party’s messaging. By showcasing the struggles and aspirations of individuals like Colombe, political parties can tap into the emotions and experiences of the electorate, shaping their campaign narratives accordingly. The response to Colombe’s story from various political figures highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in addressing the challenges faced by ordinary citizens. Moving forward, the impact of Colombe’s story on the upcoming elections remains uncertain, with the RN hoping to capitalize on her narrative to mobilize support for their party. Ultimately, the intersection of personal struggles and political discourse exemplifies the complex dynamics of modern electoral campaigns and the power of individual stories to shape public opinion.
