The declaration had the effect of a small bomb on the left. By opening himself to negotiations for the next government with Macronists and LR in the name of “responsibility”, Olivier Faure committed the Socialist Party to a narrow ridge line, plunging the New Popular Front into crisis. This Friday morning, a few hours before his meeting at the Elysée with Emmanuel Macron, the boss of the PS said he was ready to discuss with the central bloc and the right on the basis of “reciprocal concessions” with a view to the formation of a new government which would have a “fixed-term contract”. Before setting conditions, upon his arrival to meet the head of state: “A left-wing Prime Minister” and a “change of course”. But he is ready for broad discussions. Laurent Wauquiez, the leader of the LR, “can come around the table”, he admitted.
Just a few days ago, those close to him firmly rejected Gabriel Attal’s proposal for a non-censorship agreement going from the LR to the PS. As a token of goodwill, the boss of the PS spoke this Friday of “a freeze” of the pension reform, and no longer an immediate repeal – yet the main demand of the left – explaining the need to organize “a financing conference “. “When I want 100 and I get 50, that’s called taking a step. For example, I would like us to reestablish an ISF which brings in 15 billion rather than three, but we’ll see,” he summarized. . In exchange for these concessions, the socialists therefore hope to secure a left-wing government which would not be censored by the central bloc in the Assembly.
But on the Insoumis side, we are strangling ourselves. “Olivier Faure killed the NFP (New Popular Front) to discuss with Attal and Retailleau,” tackled LFI deputy Paul Vannier, lieutenant of Jean-Luc Mélenchon. “Governing with those who think that there are ‘paper French people’ in France and that ‘some are regressing towards their ethnic origins’? Oh oh, wake up! Respect yourself! Respect the voters!”, added the coordinator of LFI Manuel Bompard in reference to statements by the resigning minister LR Bruno Retailleau. “I never receive a mandate from Jean-Luc Mélenchon,” said Olivier Faure after his interview with Emmanuel Macron, during which he pleaded for the head of state to also call the communists and the Environmentalists.
Environmental warning
Because even among the Ecologists, a party which is usually a point of balance between the radical left of LFI and the more social democratic PS, the exit of Olivier Faure caused frowns. The Greens had reached out to the central bloc during the week, but had not included the LR in the possible circle of negotiations, reproaching them for their attitude towards the Republican front during the legislative elections. “Be careful. Vigilance”, advised Marine Tondelier to Olivier Faure on BFMTV. “Emmanuel Macron surely wants the death of the NFP but the Socialist Party cannot fall into this trap,” warned the leader of the Ecologists, accusing the PS of “starting its negotiations badly” by letting go of too much ballast. “Tondelier is turning against the PS. They wanted to isolate us but it is the PS which will isolate itself,” relishes an LFI executive.
Until Thursday, through their clear refusal to compromise with the central bloc, the Insoumis were in fact in a minority position within the NFP. “Everyone is aware of the seriousness of the situation. That confers a particular responsibility. So yes we have to discuss”, however, temporizes the senator and communist spokesperson Ian Brossat to the AFP. By engaging so frankly on the path of discussion, Olivier Faure once again finds himself in uncomfortable situations, he who is already torn between the alliance with the Insoumis and the right wing of his party, which wishes to break the bridges with LFI.
While the PS congress, which he narrowly won last time, is looming for 2025, many also read his positions as pledges given to his reformist wing. “He is under pressure and wants to win his congress but he will lose everything. His congress and his credibility,” predicts the rebellious executive.