Calls for unity on the left, but opposing paths

Tragi-comedy in the making at the New Popular Front (NFP). Or how can we urge, in a unanimous cry from the heart, for the essential gathering of the left, and, at the same time, agree on nothing to achieve this. This is the feat achieved by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Lucie Castets and others, who all came out of the woods, Saturday November 30 and Sunday 1^is December, but taking diametrically opposed paths.

While the alliance concluded at the time of the legislative elections of June 30 and July 7 continues to fray. While the threat of imminent censorship hangs over Michel Barnier's government, and the possibility of Emmanuel Macron's resignation is agitated, the left is already starting a new internal war for the presidential election.

A first unionist initiative, the most spectacular, was launched on Saturday by the national secretary of the Ecologists, Marine Tondelier, and the “candidate for Matignon” of the NFP, Lucie Castets. A call with a clear title: “Let’s win together”. Faced with the barely veiled presidential ambitions of the leader of La France insoumise (LFI), Jean-Luc Mélenchon, of the former president of the Socialist Republic François Hollande, of the latter's former prime minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, of the co-president of Public square, Raphaël Glucksmann, or the deputy (various left) of the Somme François Ruffin, the duo tries to regain control and pleads for a “joint application” from the left.

“We must now organize ourselves to obtain a majority in Parliament and win the next presidential election”affirm the two signatories of a column posted online on the newspaper's website West Francefollowed by a media tour the next day.

“The only prerequisite is not to start with just one name in mind, not to have your candidate or your team, to start working, otherwise we have already lost”detailed Lucie Castets, in La Tribune Sunday from 1^is December, aimed at potential candidates. She further specifies that even if she still remains ” available “ for Matignon, she will not be a « obstacle ».

“Federative offer” from Mr. Mélenchon

To strengthen this appeal, they previously warned as many left-wing personalities as possible, ringing the phones of the deputy (ex-LFI) of Seine-Saint-Denis Clémentine Autain, of François Hollande, of Bernard Cazeneuve, of the president from the socialist group in the National Assembly, Boris Vallaud, or from the first secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), Olivier Faure… Officially, everyone welcomes this approach with the unanimous tune of “that's good!” We must not remain apathetic at a time when the NFP is running out of steam.” Even if, as is often the case, behind the scenes, this call could hinder the personal strategies of each party.

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