Presidential 2022: 12 activists on hunger strike for the rally of the left

For MEP Pierre Larrouturou and the eleven other hunger strikers, the divisions of the left-wing presidential candidates make any victory impossible.

AFP - NICOLAS MAETERLINCK

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

More than 300,000 people have registered on the internet to defend the Popular Primary, an initiative which aims to nominate a common left-wing candidate for the presidential election next April.

As the deadline approaches, the pressure is mounting on the candidates.

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The more the days go by, the more the French left sinks into the doldrums.

Bad polls are on the increase and calls for a rally go unheeded.

So to urge left-wing candidates for union through the Popular Primary, MEP Pierre Larrouturou and eleven activists began a hunger strike this Friday morning.

Their message: “

Come together.

If we are divided, there is no chance of winning.

But with the Popular Primary, we can win, change people's lives and change our future

”, pleads the MEP.

To read also: Presidential 2022: the French left at the foot of the wall

This citizens' initiative, which for a time wanted to organize a primary, is now piloting a "popular nomination", namely a vote of its more than 300,000 signatories from January 27 to 30 to nominate their election candidate.

Former Minister of Justice

Christiane Taubira plans to participate

.

But the rebellious Jean-Luc Mélenchon refuses to do so.

Just like the ecologist Yannick Jadot, who once again recalled it during his wishes to the press this Friday: “

We are carriers of an idea which is that of consent.

When it's no, it's no.

"No question for him that there is no green candidate in 2022.

A fragmented left

But if Yannick Jadot does not go, the socialist Anne Hidalgo, who says she is nevertheless in favor of such an initiative, will not go either.

It only makes sense if it is to have a common candidate.

If it does not exist, everyone will wear their colors and I will do it on my side

, ”explained the mayor of Paris.

Already eliminated from the second round in 2017, the left risks being again condemned to make up the figure.

Its best-placed candidate, Jean-Luc Mélenchon (LFI) is struggling to maintain around 10% of voting intentions, ahead of environmentalist Yannick Jadot and socialist Anne Hidalgo.

Fragmented between five candidates - with Fabien Roussel and Arnaud Montebourg -, the left remains suspended on the announcement of a possible candidacy of Christiane Taubira, who must decide "

January 15 at the latest

", less than two weeks before Primary popular.

The liar poker game will continue for another week.

January 15 is the deadline to register for a primary which has lead in the wing.

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