March of freedoms in France: the left in dispersed order

The head of the procession of the March of Freedoms, in Paris, June 12, 2021. AFP - SAMEER AL-DOUMY

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

It could have been the occasion of a beautiful family photo, once again the left were divided.

This Saturday, June 12, the major political parties of the left - LFI, PS, PC, EELV- marched against the extreme right throughout the country.

But the headliners have chosen not to be all behind the same Parisian banner.

A symbol one week before the first round of regional elections.

Publicity

Read more

The rebellious Jean-Luc Mélenchon and the ecologist Julien Bayou in Paris, the communist Fabien Roussel in Lille and the socialist Olivier Faure in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, the demonstration of the left against the extreme right and for freedoms public events took place in dispersed order, and that is quite a symbol. 

One week before the first round of regional elections, it is difficult to display a united front as the alliances vary widely depending on the region and the points of division are numerous: on secularism, the relationship with the Republic or even nuclear power.

In the background, the presidential election: 10 months before the queen's deadline, if left-wing voters are still hoping for a single candidate, those in charge are incapable of reaching an agreement;

the discussions have for the moment come to an end.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon was in the process of explaining the climate of political violence when suddenly, the leader of the Insoumis got flour ...

Report in the Parisian demonstration

Anne Soetemondt

► To read also:

French policy: Marine Le Pen nibbles voices on the right

In Paris this Saturday, Julien Bayou and Jean-Luc Mélenchon may have demonstrated a few meters from each other, they hardly spoke to each other.

A division which perhaps explains a mixed mobilization: 150,000 demonstrators in France and 70,000 in Paris according to the organizers.

Much less, according to observers.

► To read also: Elections in France, the conspirators invest the political field

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • French politics

  • Regional elections in France

  • Presidential France 2022