Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

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MEIGNEUX ROMUALD / SIPA

  • Jean-Luc Mélenchon ensures that the media return of Arnaud Montebourg is "useful" to his campaign.

  • The former minister has points of convergence with the rebellious candidate on Europe, the Covid debt or economic sovereignty.

  • But if Arnaud Montebourg is also a presidential candidate, he could compete on these themes with rebels.

“Montebourg, it's useful.

The title of Jean-Luc Mélenchon's note posted Monday night on his blog could hardly be clearer.

The boss of rebellious France, already launched in the 2022 presidential election, says he sees the media return of the former Minister of the Economy favorably.

"I believe, sixteen months before the vote, that his presence in the debate can be very useful and even profitable for us", indicates the rebellious candidate.

"In the battle of ideas, some of Arnaud Montebourg's positions are a welcome reinforcement," he adds.

Still, the person is also thinking of the presidential election.

His relatives even launched, a few days ago, a new political party - The Engagement - intended to support a possible candidacy of the ex-elected of Saône-et-Loire.

What to compete with Jean-Luc Mélenchon?

Points of convergence

Jean-Luc Mélenchon evokes on his blog several points of convergence with the former socialist: the cancellation of the debt linked to the Covid, the confrontation with the European Union, the general principle of a Sixth Republic ... "It is a additional voice to address themes that are dear to us: on sovereignty, change of institutions, debt, which is a decisive issue and will condition the future of policies in France, ”confides LFI MEP Manuel Bompard.

If the rebels also note points of divergence (on nuclear, NATO), they believe that the champion of de-globalization brings water to their mill.

“Political battles always go through cultural victories.

We sometimes had the impression of shouting alone in nature on these subjects, and that our proposals are a little despised.

The fact that Montebourg plows our garden is therefore positive, ”adds Bompard.

"No place for both"

The argument can be heard outside the countryside.

But if Arnaud Montebourg officially becomes a presidential candidate, would he not, for these same reasons, take votes from Jean-Luc Mélenchon?

"The sovereignist strategy of Montebourg can seduce a part of the communist and rebellious electorate, because there are areas of convergence and also because it has been part of the break with the Socialist Party for several years", recalls the socialist François Kalfon , his ex-campaign manager in the 2017 primary.

The two men also say they want to address all French people, beyond the traditional right / left divide.

"There will be no room for both", summarizes the ecologist MEP David Cormand.

“It's a bit of Dupond and Dupont.

They are in the same niche, and undeniably, Jean-Luc Mélenchon is ahead, in terms of collective, financial and even theoretical resources, ”adds the former boss of EELV.

Thus, the tribune has already fired a few arrows against the former minister, criticizing his "dialogue" with the sovereignists of the right or his remarks on the employers.

A sign of tensions to come?

Towards a confrontation?

Because Arnaud Montebourg is also plowing his own ground, in particular by giving interviews to radical left media, such as Le Média and Quartier Général and by developing his new party.

"Our goal is to bring the ideas of Arnaud Montebourg to life and to set up in the region in order to be ready if he decides to set in motion", assures Willy Bourgeois, socialist regional councilor for Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. and Secretary General of Engagement.

In November, the LFI deputy Adrien Quatennens reached out to Arnaud Montebourg with the prospect of 2022. But the contact remains today at a standstill.

Could the campaign bring them together?

To hear the two camps, we are still far from it.

"Our subject is not Jean-Luc Mélenchon but what Arnaud Montebourg has been offering to the French and its ideological consistency for decades," said Willy Bourgeois.

“Montebourg is welcome here,” says Manuel Bompard, who adds: “Everyone is free to be a candidate.

But there is a small difference between the 2,000 people in his movement and the 200,000 support for the candidacy of Jean-Luc Mélenchon ”.

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  • Presidential election

  • Arnaud Montebourg

  • France rebellious

  • Left

  • Jean-Luc Mélenchon