For the first time in 25 years, the French left is advancing united in the legislative elections. Rebellious, socialists, communists and ecologists agreed this week to fight behind a common program and banner: the New Popular, Ecological and Social Union (Nupes). A political earthquake with the air of revolution on the left.
Politicians are often described as cold-blooded animals. But in the past week, a certain vertigo shook the ranks of BIA to the PS, from the Greens to the PCF. ” We are writing history confided several leaders of these parties as the agreements were validated by their troops.
Because if the media attention has mainly focused on the tight negotiations around the constituencies allocated to each other, the negotiated program is indeed a revolution for them.
The Sixth Republic, retirement at 60, the ecological pact, opposition to European liberalism: never, since the victory of François Mitterrand in 1981, has the left been able or wanted to unite on so many themes. A socialist leader also judges that the draft Nupes is clearly more ambitious than that of the plural left of Lionel Jospin in 1997.
A revolution made in Jean-Luc Mélenchon
” We no longer recognize Jean-Luc “, we are surprised at the PS and among the Greens, “ he changed “. ” Forced and Forced “, judge some, because the strategy of hegemony and of riding alone of the Insoumis failed in the legislative elections 5 years ago, with only 17 elected deputies. And she showed her limits in the presidential election, the divisions preventing Jean-Luc Mélenchon from reaching the second round.
” He understood that the only way to break the glass ceiling and achieve power was union. “says an environmentalist leader, ” and he threw all his weight into the discussions so that the agreements were made, while the young guard of the Insoumis braced itself on the independence of the party. The weight of history rather than the weight of the ego for Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who, radical as he is, has for idol the master of synthesis on the left, François Mitterrand.
Revolution or simple electoral and individual tactic?
PS boss Olivier Faure admitted it: after the massive departures of socialists to Emmanuel Macron, the party had to prove that it was still on the left. For the Greens, it was above all a question of returning to the Assembly after 5 years of absence, while the Communists had to save their moribund party.
The union therefore, but pragmatic: it is only valid if victory is at the end or if the left becomes the first opposition force in the country.
If this strategy fails, heads will roll at the top of the parties and everyone will go their separate ways, seeking evolution rather than revolution.