Jean-Luc Mélenchon denounces the “failure” of the PS, the Ecologists and the PCF after their participation in a new meeting in Bercy

The first secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), Olivier Faure, responded on Thursday January 9 to attacks by Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The day before, on X, the leader of La France insoumise had accused the PS, the Ecologists and the communists of “forfeiture” for agreeing to discuss the 2025 budget with Bercy.

“The all-or-nothing left is today the nothing left,” replied Mr. Faure on TF1, assuming to negotiate with the government with the aim of“snatch victories” for the French. “It’s not me who breaks up [avec l’alliance de gauche forgée aux législatives par le Nouveau Front populaire], it’s Jean-Luc Mélenchon”, he estimated, deploring the“intransigence” and the“presidential obsession” of the “rebellious” leader. “We don’t have a majority,” recalled the socialist, which justifies in his eyes the “search for compromise”.

As for censoring the government on the occasion of the general policy declaration of the Prime Minister, François Bayrou, on January 14, “we can consider it, but we have to see if there are not good reasons not to censor”said Olivier Faure, in particular in the perspective where the executive would accept a « suspension » of the 2023 pension reform as well as a “financing conference” to outline the contours of an alternative reform. In his eyes, on the Bercy side, “there is no veto”including concerning a new revision of the retirement age, “which is already a change in itself”.

Priority to pension reform

On Wednesday, the Minister of the Economy, Eric Lombard, and the Minister of Public Accounts, Amélie de Montchalin, jointly received representatives of the Ecologists, the French Communist Party (PCF) and the Socialist Party (PS), to discuss the budget 2025. “There is absolutely, at this stage, nothing conclusive”declared Mr. Faure on BFM-TV after this meeting concluded shortly after 11 p.m.

“Discussions were limited to non-divisive topics. L[es] question[s] central[s] pensions, tax justice and the civil service have been postponed”assured Agence France-Presse a socialist, mentioning however a “useful and constructive meeting” with “the three left-wing parties (…) well around the table and aligned”.

Among the Ecologists, we note that“there is still a lot of work to be done to avoid censorship”. “The repeal of the pension reform is a necessary condition”declared Marine Tondelier, the leader of the Ecologists, who also expects others “strong gestures” of government concerning public services, industry, schools, health or revenue.

“Disrespect for our alliance”, castigates Mélenchon

The communist delegation also said, Wednesday afternoon, that it wanted to “at the head of the gondola” of his demands the repeal of the pension reform. “In any case find a way to suspend the age measurement”explained the national secretary of the PCF, Fabien Roussel. “Today, it’s not yes, it’s not no, it’s under discussion”he noted, indicating the intention to “set foot” In “this half-open door”.

La France insoumise (LFI) did not wish to participate in the meetings organized by Bercy. “This way of negotiating behind the back of the NFP [Nouveau Front populaire] and against his program is an act of total disrespect for our alliance”wrote Mr. Mélenchon on X. “The traditional little left has nothing to offer, and its negotiators are just ridiculously servile”he added.

“No non-censorship agreement from the PS and [des Ecologistes] will never concern us”insisted the leader of the “rebels”. The president (LFI) of the finance committee of the National Assembly, Eric Coquerel, is nevertheless expected on Thursday for a meeting with ministers.

Edouard Philippe ready to accept a “slightly less” “effort”

For his part, former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, president of the Horizons party, member of the presidential coalition, said he was ready, Wednesday evening on France 2, to accept a « effort » budgetary “a little less”. “I can see that there is an advantage and an interest for the country in maintaining this political stability and not having a second motion of censure on a second finance bill”by relaxing the initial deficit target for this year from 5% to 5.4% of gross domestic product.

Asked about a possible suspension of the pension reform, Mr. Philippe considered that it was a “bad idea”. “I am in any case very convinced that it is not the right instrument. But I understand that the government has to listen to everyone and try to build something”he added the day after his meeting in Bercy with the ministers. “I don’t have the obsessions of an accountant, I have obsessions with sovereignty, State authority and the independence of France”he added.