Despite all the advancements, wild electoral posters still persist during the legislative campaign. It is now the prerogative for certain parties, like LFI, which can sometimes assume it. This practice elicits a different response from cities, one of dialogue and the other of firmness.
Building angles, college wall and subway lamppost: In Paris, the northern part is Belleville, located in the 16th District. It is hard to avoid Sarah Legrain, candidate from insubordinate France (LFI) to Jean-Luc Melenchon’s ranks and to the multicolored V left alliance Nupes.
While the electoral code forbids display beyond the panels placed in front of polling stations, or the free display panels, Sarah Legrain “assumes (her) candidacy”. She adds that this allows people to identify us and hear about our campaign, which is a sign of militant vitality.
The MEP LFI Manon Aubry says that “if we had a genuine public debate, perhaps we would catch up on the public space”. As for Sarah Legrain and other Parisian elected officials the persistent wild posting is due in large part to the insufficient legal billboards in Paris.
Remi Feraud (head of Parisian PS elected officials) asked for Remi’s “finally disappearance” from the capital walls. He admitted to having “practiced wild posting or the sport of stickers a lot” as a child and that he had “declined a lot during the previous election campaigns.”
The deputy Modem Maud gatel made a pious wish and denounced Wednesday, June 2, in the municipal council, “unacceptable behaviour of certain candidates” as well as the lack of “voluntarism” of the City to face this “attack in good standing towards our living environment, polluting environment, distorting urban landscape”. Colombe Brossel (PSA for cleanliness), is Anne Hidalgo’s assistant (PSA) for the fight against illegal commercial tags and displays. According to her, there are 30-40 agents who are mobilized each day and approximately 4,000 interventions per semaine.
It claims it is “extremely strong” in its stance on wild posting. However, Anouch Toranian (assistant for associative living), says that the City has not “invoiced the parties for their failure to facilitate the democratic debate”, but rather encourages dialogue with them to show them “that it’s possible to do other”. The City is led by the left without LFI. “The PS and EELV never practiced illegal posting for many decades”, says Anouch Toranian, assistant for associative life.
This phenomenon can also be seen in cities outside of the capital. Quimper says that the phenomenon is “above all the Reconquest movement!” This is especially true at roundabouts and main roads. However, this is not a new practice and is not disproportionate to the work done in 1990, 1980, or 1970.” The town hall oscillates between diplomacy, call to order, and even a bit of swagger. “Flagrante delicto is required for a fine. It’s also complicated by the fact that the collages are done at nights.” Still, the town hall says “Overall, it happens at 90% very good “.
Anthon (Isere) is less affected by this. The mayor filed a March complaint against LFI following two wild posters campaigns that were carried out in his town by activists, who used road signs and fire hydrants to advertise their activities. Montelimar (Drome) – The mayor LR Julien Cornillet organised an afternoon of display with elected officials from both his majority and the opposition at the end May. He announced a fine of 1,500 Euros per poster or a penalty payment in the amount of 200 euros per calendar day.
The Metropolis of Toulouse decided to charge 37 Euros per poster for the cleaning costs in 2019. This decision seems to have paid off, as the number of posters that were taken down during the election periods was split “by 12 between 2017 and 2022”, according Jean-Luc Moudenc, deputy mayor of Toulouse.
