Retour sur le terrain. La préparation des élections municipales de 1995 par l’équipe d’Edmond Hervé, maire de Rennes

Between 1977 and 1989, the municipal team headed by Edmond Hervé successfully implemented a local mode of government linking social progress to economic growth. During his third mandate, Hervé was challenged as former minister of Health in the French blood transfusion scandal: this had obvious repercussions at the local level. In addition, protest grew over an underground railway project for Rennes which also weakened his political plans. But by mastering numerous skills •such as communication techniques or activist work —, the Socialists were able to rally their traditional supporters for the upcoming election. A microstructural approach to recruitment in social movements may throw a relevant light on this aspect of political activity described as «craftsmanship».