Presidential 2022: Arnaud Montebourg, a courted candidate

Audio 02:42

Arnaud Montebourg, during his candidacy speech for the 2022 presidential election. Clamecy, September 4, 2021. © AFP - JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK

By: Aurélien Devernoix

3 min

He is part of the plethora of left-wing candidates in the 2022 presidential election. Former socialist minister Arnaud Montebourg entered the campaign a month and a half ago and he has remained in relative discretion ever since.

But his profile and his potential voters arouse much envy among his rivals.

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This is a consequence of the proliferation of polls in the run-up to the presidential election: on the left, each percentage of intention to vote has become crucial as the candidates are both neck and neck and confined for the moment. to play a subordinate role in the race for the Élysée.

In this battle, Arnaud Montebourg is sitting on a small treasure: between 2 and 5% of the voters say they are likely to vote for the one who defends the concept of left sovereignism, that is to say the protection of the French economy , in its industry in particular, a distrust of liberal Europe, an attachment to the values ​​of the Republic, secularism, defense of public services, respect for institutions.

Principles in which the other candidates make a little their market to prove their compatibility with Arnaud Montebourg.

On industry and made in France for example, it is rather the Communists of Fabien Roussel, on Europe, the Insoumis of Jean Luc Mélenchon, on the Republic, the socialists of Anne Hidalgo.

Arnaud Montebourg confident in his presidential destiny

Asked about these attempts at seduction during the breeding summit in Clermont Ferrand last week, Arnaud Montebourg compared himself to Emmanuel Macron when he entered the presidential campaign in 2016-2017. He believes that his position in the polls shows a progression and that therefore " 

 " for him. No question of rallying to anyone because the former minister is convinced that he has a chance to play in 2022 and that he could be the surprise of the presidential election. He also called his program the Remontada, a football analogy synonymous with an unexpected return.

An analysis that does not share its rivals.

They believe that the Montebourg candidacy has several weaknesses: first and foremost the question of financing his campaign.

It costs several million euros, and this money, Socialists, Communists and Insubordinate are convinced that it does not have it, not having a party behind it.

Same problem with the 500 sponsorships of elected officials required to be able to compete.

All therefore assert that sooner or later Arnaud Montebourg will have to withdraw and negotiate an agreement with one or the other.

Belly dances and ambiguities

Everyone thus stages their relationship with the former minister.

Fabien Roussel, the Communist candidate, thus let it be known that he had recently had lunch with Arnaud Montebourg and he is delighted with their common positions on nuclear power, agriculture or European treaties.

Pierre Jouvet, spokesperson for the PS, recalls that Arnaud Montebourg is still part of the socialist family, and implies that one day or another he will return to the bosom of the rose party.

On the other hand, it is more complicated with La France Insoumise.

Arnaud Montebourg has recruited in his team former rebels who have left angry and he never misses the opportunity to criticize Jean-Luc Mélenchon, which has the gift of annoying him.

But Arnaud Montebourg is also sparing his options for the future.

If he repeats that he is a free candidate, he pays attention to the symbols - his declaration of candidacy took place in a communist city - and surrounds himself with political figures who can make the link with the other left parties.

One of his most fervent supporters is the Socialist Senator Laurence Rossignol.

He could also integrate into his team members of the Republican and Socialist Left, a small formation which had made an alliance with France Insoumise during the European elections.

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• France

• French politics

• Presidential France 2022

• Arnaud Montebourg