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In their book investigation “La Mute”, two journalists reveal the functioning of rebellious France, under the direction of Jean-Luc Melenchon. Several anecdotes reveal pressures on party activists and executives.
Two journalists, Charlotte Belaïch (Liberation) and Olivier Pérou (Le Monde), lift the veil behind the scenes of Insoumise France in a nourished survey book of two years of investigation. As the 2027 presidential election approaches, this work highlights the functioning of the movement around Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and feeds the criticisms already lively on the left. Back on five anecdotes from the book which reveal some secrets on the Mélenchon system.
“You are like Jiang Qing, the Red Empress”
Among the most striking revelations, Sophia Chikirou, deputy and companion of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, is described as a “brutal chief”. It would be omnipresent in WhatsApp channels, not hesitating to put pressure on other elected officials. A striking scene reported by the authors shows an elected official from Parisian to him: “You are like Jiang Qing, the Red Empress”, the nickname of Mao’s woman. Far from being offended, she replies that she is “ready to take it as a nickname”. “As I am the chef’s wife, they obey,” reports the book.
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Fabien Roussel compares LFI to a “sect under the influence of a couple, that of Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his partner Sophia Chikirou”
Former relatives and militants deleted from photoshop
According to the book, some photos of events have been retouched to make old members who have fallen out of disgrace disappear. “It is thus in the rebellious movement, as in the time of the Soviet Union”, note the authors.
-“We are going to send you the dose you deserve”: Mélenchon’s SMS in Modelier
When Marine Tondelier evokes on a television set, in October 2024, “The methods of nag” of LFI, Jean-Luc Mélenchon replied by SMS: “We will send you the dose that you deserve”. Revelations confirmed by the deputy EELV, who highlight the divisions on the left.
“I don’t need anyone to think”
Finally, the authors linger on the way some activists feel “crushed” by the rebellious machine. After the Quatennens affair, sentenced for domestic violence, alerts date back to the risk of massive departure of volunteers. Mélenchon’s response is scathing: “Militants are my arms and legs, and I’m the head. I don’t need anyone to think.”
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“I will all go to the hatch” … The ex-deputy LFI Danielle Simonnet reveals that he was the victim of harassment on the part of Jean-Luc Mélenchon
François Ruffin targeted
Another marginalized figure, François Ruffin. As of 2018, when he organized the “Festival in Macron”, Jean-Luc Mélenchon arrives at the event … by bus to imperial, capturing the attention of the crowd with a long speech. A way to regain control of the narration. In 2021, during a screening of the film “Standing the women!” Directed by François Ruffin, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Sophia Chikirou and Manuel Bompard leave the room before the session begins.
Faced with these accusations, the management of LFI counter-attacks. Mathilde Panot and Manuel Bompard denounce the book as a whole, speaking of “lies” and “gossip”.
