Credited in the polls with around 18% of the vote, the candidate of La France insoumise Jean-Luc Mélenchon won more than 22% of the vote in the first round of the presidential election, behind Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron. A “recovery” propelled by an unexpected useful vote, but which remains limited by the fear of the controversial character.
In the ranks of the extended left, gathered around Jean-Luc Mélenchon, we were beginning to believe it. In recent days, the polls have shown a dynamic on the side of the rebellious candidate. Started at 13% in the voting intentions, it was at 18% on Friday. A strong mobilization of left-wing sympathizers finally enabled him to exceed 22%, a first for a left-wing candidate outside the Socialist Party (PS).
A “useful vote” among some
Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen will have siphoned off the vote pool of the right-wing Les Républicains party, Jean-Luc Mélenchon will have undermined that of Yannick Jadot, candidate of Europe Écologie-Les Verts (EELV) who obtains less than 5% of the votes, and most of the candidates of the left, completely divided during this election.
This useful vote, which had not had as much force in 2017, is explained by the complete rejection of Emmanuel Macron by part of the left, after a mandate which will have given more guarantees to the right than to the left. An electroshock too: for the first time, the polls bring the curve of voting intentions for Marine Le Pen within the margin of uncertainty of the curve for Emmanuel Macron in the second round, leading left-wing sympathizers to try to carry the only candidate in position to reach the second round.
On Twitter, the hashtag “#CeseraMélenchon” had appeared in recent weeks. Activists explained in long threads of tweets why they would support Jean-Luc Mélenchon, contrary to their original intention. Main reasons given: the climate emergency and a desire not to have to choose between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen in the second round. In the same way, many figures of the left explained their vote for the candidate of the Popular Union, in spite of sometimes strong divergences.
But before telling you what my choice will be, I would like to point out a total disagreement with all the leftist/green/assimilated programs on a specific point.
I think it’s really important to talk about it because they base their arguments in defiance of facts and science.— Florence Porcel (@FlorencePorcel) March 31, 2022
Journalist and author Florence Porcel explained in early April that she would vote for Jean-Luc Mélenchon, while emphasizing her strong opposition to the candidate’s energy policy. For her, the anti-nuclear arguments of the majority of left-wing parties go to ” against facts and science, and sometimes even break completely with the laws of physics “even if the program of Jean-Luc Mélenchon” has many qualities. It is the best in my eyes on feminism, ecology (excluding energy), justice, culture, social justice, public services, institutions… “.
Reluctance in others
Still, for some, Jean-Luc Mélenchon represents a step that is still too difficult to take. His position on France’s foreign policy, his procrastination on France’s place in the European Union are disturbing. The resolutely pacifist and non-interventionist position of the radical left candidate, while the war in Ukraine pushed the French to support arms deliveries in the country, although a large majority is still opposed to a military intervention.
Left-wing sympathizers also criticize him for his eruptive character and even a kind of “personality cult” within the party of La France insoumise. Everyone keeps in mind his The Republic is me! “, released on October 16, 2018, when the headquarters of LFI was searched as part of two preliminary investigations by the Paris prosecutor’s office. The candidate had however tried to make an effort to fight against this image of a lonely man, highlighting in his meetings the team around him, from Manon Aubry to Adrien Quatennens, via Clémentine Autain or Manuel Bompard.
In any case, supporters or not of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the sympathizers of the left have no candidates in the second round. They will now arbitrate between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. Jean-Luc Mélenchon has already called not to give ” a voice for Marine Le Pen “. The Socialist Party of Anne Hidalgo and Yannick Jadot, of Europe Écologie-Les Verts, both at less than 5%, will not see their campaign costs reimbursed: the left, if it wants to survive, will have to restructure and consolidate its alliances if it intends to continue to exist in the political landscape.
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