Presidential 2022 in France: the "elephants" of the PS want a candidate

Audio 01:11

Former French President François Hollande (first row, 2nd D) and the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo (C) participate in the celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the election of François Mitterrand as President of the Republic on May 9, 2021 in Le Creusot .

AFP - JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

Socialists celebrate the 40th anniversary of François Mitterrand's victory.

It was May 10, 1981. And today the PS is in bad shape.

Quite a symbol: he may not even have a presidential candidate next year.

Gathered Sunday at Le Creusot in Saône-et-Loire, "the elephants" of the party rebelled. 

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With our special

correspondent

at Le Creusot, 

Anne Soetemondt

A country air followed by a swarm of cameras and microphones, François Hollande comes to pay homage to François Mitterrand.

“ 

The path continues,” he

says.

But also talk about 2022:

“If there is no socialist candidacy, I do not see how the left can win the presidential election.

 "

Same message from the former Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve: “

 I think that if we made another choice, it would be an additional opportunity of distraction.

But, finally, it seems that this truism is not shared by everyone.

So better remember it.

 "

A tackle addressed to the great absentee of the day

Olivier Faure

, current party boss suspected of considering stepping aside in front of environmentalists in 2022.

Concerned first and foremost,

Anne Hidalgo

 does not break through in the polls and remains behind.

No walkabout for the mayor of Paris who flees any question about 2022 and leaves the elders, including Lionel Jospin, to shake hands with the few onlookers who have come to greet the representatives of the PS, or what remains of them. 

To read also: Presidential 2022 in France: towards a popular primary for the left?

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  • Presidential France 2022

  • France

  • Francois Hollande