The Ruffin-Mélenchon "war"

Audio 02:39

By: Marine de La Moissonnière Follow

The rivalry between Jean-Luc Mélenchon and François Ruffin experienced a new episode this week. On Tuesday, the deputy said on BFM that he did not rule out being a presidential candidate in 2022 if necessary. The leader of the Insoumis has not yet said whether he will run for a third time.

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"  If ever it is I who have to pick up the flag, I will [the] pick up  ," said François Ruffin , is almost word for word, exactly what he had told the BBC in March 2019 ...! Like last year, the deputy opened the door to a presidential candidate in 2022, but cautiously since he added, as in 2019: "I do not think I am the man of that today. "

The next day, asked about France 2 Jean-Luc Mélenchon answered him. The boss of the Insoumis says "[approve] the state of mind  " of François Ruffin but reminds him that for the moment, "the flag is firmly held". If ever he could not present himself: "  I do not have the vanity to believe myself eternal  ", said Jean-Luc Mélenchon. There would then be plenty of possible candidates among rebellious parliamentarians and even beyond. As often between Jean-Luc Mélenchon and François Ruffin, caresses and spikes alternate.

François Ruffin, Jean-Luc Mélenchon's rival?

It seems unlikely that François Ruffin could one day overshadow Jean-Luc Mélenchon within LFI, as the Insubmissive are loyal to their leader, even when the boat is rocking. Once again, they have stepped up to the plate. The flag is held by Jean-Luc Mélenchon and he "  holds it rather well  ", reacted Adrien Quatennens on LCI . Same loyalty on the part of another deputy for whom Jean-Luc Mélenchon remains the best for the presidential election, but who refuses to speak of a gun fight between the two men. “  There is no war between them, nor between us. What François Ruffin said doesn't bother me at all. Everyone has the right to express themselves. We are not at the PS!  "

The fact remains that François Ruffin knows that he is not unanimous within LFI and that he would have to gather beyond. This is also why he cultivates his free electron posture and why he displayed himself alongside the ecological mayor of Grenoble, Eric Piolle.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, on his way to 2022

The coronavirus crisis has put back in the saddle the boss of the rebels who multiplies the appearances in the media. He strives to give a unifying image. No more clash theory  ! More generally, the whole of the rebellious France that is in battle order for 2022: Reflections on the world after, update of the program, commission of inquiry on the management of the Covid-19, meeting and conferences of online press ... and this mantra repeated to journalists on all subjects: "  If we were in power, that's what we would do!"  "

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