François Hollande says he is “open” to debate with Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Will François Hollande and Jean-Luc Mélenchon one day find themselves competing in an election? While he wishes “presidential news” to get out of the “crisis” political, the leader of the Insoumis told the press on Thursday evening that such a scenario would be “a treat” in his eyes. Rival in 2012, the LFI candidate had at the time achieved his first breakthrough but had failed in the first round (11.10%). His socialist opponent had become President of the Republic.

“Irreconcilable Lefts”

If, for his part, François Hollande does not talk about gluttony, he does, however, say “open” to organize a debate with Jean-Luc Mélenchon, informed his entourage to the Figaro. “He should already start by agreeing to debate”whispers a close friend of the former president who recalls that the socialist had already made this proposal in May 2023. At the time, the Insoumis had not followed up, but the context was not the same: he did not There had not yet been a dissolution, and François Hollande had not again become a PS deputy for Corrèze. Above all, the latter now claims not to be “indifferent” in the 2027 presidential election.

The invitation is therefore launched again. In the rest of the left, some are despairing of this mano a mano at a distance between the two men who have already clashed so much in the past. “Both wish to reestablish the thesis of the two irreconcilable lefts in order to both be able to justify their candidacy for the next presidential election”sighs a socialist leader. “The cockfighting culture that Hollande and Mélenchon constantly display is annoying. To win, we need a united mindset and people capable of working as a team. Otherwise, defeat is assured.”also warned Raquel Garrido, the former Insoumise deputy, on X Thursday evening.