Politics, the choice of the week
The New popular, ecological and social union, a revolution on the left?
Audio 02:48
The leader of La France insoumise Jean-Luc Mélenchon at the May Day parade in Paris.
© AFP/Thomas Coex
By: Aurelien Devernoix
2 mins
For the first time in 25 years, the French left is advancing united in the legislative elections.
Rebellious, socialists, communists and ecologists agreed this week to fight behind a common program and banner: the New Popular, Ecological and Social Union (Nupes).
A political earthquake with the air of revolution on the left.
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Politicians are often portrayed as cold-blooded animals.
But in the past week, a certain vertigo shook the ranks of
LFI
at the PS, from the Greens to the PCF.
"
We are writing history
" confided several leaders of these parties as the agreements were validated by their troops.
Because if the media attention has mainly focused on the tight negotiations around the constituencies allocated to each other, the negotiated program is indeed a revolution for them.
The Sixth Republic, retirement at 60, the ecological pact, opposition to European liberalism: never, since the victory of François Mitterrand in 1981, has the left been able or wanted to unite on so many themes.
A socialist leader also judges that the project of
Nupes
is much more ambitious than that of the plural left of Lionel Jospin in 1997.
A revolution made in Jean-Luc Mélenchon
"
We no longer recognize Jean-Luc
", is surprised at the PS and the Greens, "
he has changed
".
“
Constrained and forced
”, judge some, because the strategy of hegemony and of the Insoumis alone failed in the legislative elections 5 years ago, with only 17 elected deputies.
And she showed her limits in the presidential election, the divisions preventing Jean-Luc Mélenchon from reaching the second round.
"
He understood that the only way to break the glass ceiling and reach power was to unite
," said an environmentalist leader, "
and he threw all his weight into the discussions so that the agreements take place, while the young guard of the Insoumis braced itself on the independence of the party.
The weight of history rather than the weight of the ego for Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who, radical as he is, has for idol the master of synthesis on the left, François Mitterrand.
Revolution or simple electoral and individual tactic?
PS boss Olivier Faure admitted it: after the massive departures of socialists to Emmanuel Macron, the party had to prove that it was still on the left.
For the Greens, it was above all a question of returning to the Assembly after 5 years of absence, while the Communists had to save their moribund party.
The union therefore, but pragmatic: it is only valid if victory is at the end or if the left becomes the first opposition force in the country.
If this strategy fails, heads will roll at the top of the parties and everyone will go their separate ways, seeking evolution rather than revolution.
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French politics
French legislative 2022
France