Why applying it? In what form did you trying to achieved to become a Merit Source?
This is another one perception that got it wrong..
Merit point is to given point to good poster or people that deserved it with your available value.. Not turning it to become a politic about it.
And gain more by telling you are active bla bla and gain a source of it and start abusing it as you now has the power to doing so..
Not that I'd say that you are gonna abuse it.. but it is already abused if this kind of application is posted here without legit and guaranteed reasons.
The point is that the French section is very active and the posts have quality there .Many people there were close from moving up in ranks and feel like with the new system ,they'll have to wait forever now .
I don't know Ludbega well enough but from what I read recently of him ,he does seem apolitical and honest .He doesn't seem like the kind of guy who will give his merits to his buddies ranked the same as him ...but instead will distribute in a honest and fair manner .
Anyway ,the more sources there are ,the better it is for everyone ,not just in this case .