The boss of the PCF, who has benefited in recent weeks from a slight polling dynamic, up to 5% of voting intentions, has at the same time created some tensions within a fragmented and weakened left.

The Insoumis have thus regretted that he does not join them to allow Mr. Mélenchon, credited with a little more than 10%, to access the second round.

“My candidacy is not intended above all to take away votes from other left-wing and environmental candidates, but to win new ones,” he replied in front of 1,500 people in the village hall of Montreuil town hall, claiming to seek out abstainers and voters who have gone to the far right.

The deputy from the North said he aimed to "add up, strengthen the left so that it is once again in the majority, a sincere, authentic, honest left, a left that does not use the language of wood, which will not betray".

He also wanted to bury the hatchet with environmentalists, who blame him for his defense of red meat alone and his attacks against the "lessons" of a certain left in city centers.

The communist presidential candidate Fabien Roussel at a meeting in Montreuil, February 16, 2022 near Paris Alain JOCARD AFP

"Here in Montreuil, knowing where I put my feet, I know all the efforts to eat healthy and satisfying," proclaimed the communist.

According to Fabien Roussel, "you have to eat healthy, local, organic": "Good food, whether meat-based, vegetarian, vegan, it must be within reach of all budgets, and I respect all," he said.

He also assumed "the positions taken on a certain number of subjects", for example on nuclear power, but "with respect for our differences and our political affiliations".

Yannick Jadot had targeted the communist the day before: "I do not create enthusiasm by trying to deny the problems (on nuclear power, the car and the overconsumption of meat, editor's note) because I find it irresponsible".

Fabien Roussel also sent this message of appeasement on Wednesday, thinking of the legislative elections, where he wishes "to win the most deputies on the left: communists and in the widest union".

The communist presidential candidate Fabien Roussel at a meeting in Montreuil, February 16, 2022 near Paris Alain JOCARD AFP

The PCF mayor of Montreuil Patrice Bessac had introduced the meeting by seeming to give advice to his candidate: "I would like to tell Fabien Roussel that there are also people who eat tofu, who are vegetarians and who will vote for him. !"

© 2022 AFP