At the Fête de l’Humanité, left-wing activists wonder about the future of Lucie Castets

The candidate of the New Popular Front for Matignon was at the Fête de l’Humanité on Friday. Some activists present hope to see the senior civil servant embody the future of the left.

This is not a farewell tour. Despite the appointment of Republican Michel Barnier to Matignon, Lucie Castets, the one chosen by the New Popular Front, is maintaining her candidacy for the post of Prime Minister. For her, the fight is not over and she made this known at the Fête de l’Humanité which takes place from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September in Plessis-Pâté, in Essonne.

After a warm welcome, Lucie Castet displays a big smile and answers the question that many ask themselves: what will her future be? “What is certain, in any case, is that I remain at the service of the New Popular Front. I want this collective momentum to continue to exist. If I am given this role of continuing to carry this hope, then I will gladly take it on with collective support.”

A support that some activists willingly give him. “We must find a common denominator, explains Jacques, a communist activist. Not everyone on the left has the same sensibility and I believe that she ticks all the boxes for the unity of the left.”

Beyond the post of Prime Minister, many supporters see Lucie Castets as the face of the left’s union. A fragile but necessary union to gain power, believes Benjamin. Matignon, he no longer believes in it, but this environmental activist already imagines her as a candidate for the New Popular Front in the next presidential election. “The right is in working order with Edouard Philippe who has already presented himself. Marine Le Pen, there is no doubt either. On the left, we have to be sure of what we are doing. So at some point, egos have to be lowered, even if it is hard, to let Lucie Castets present herself.”

Vincent, himself, doesn’t believe it: “She was chosen to become Prime Minister in this context. I don’t know if it is really conceivable in another context. So, let’s see what she can offer to the New Popular Front.” He believes that the left, to gain power, can only rely on a name, a face.

Brigitte adds that the New Popular Front was originally launched by political parties but also by unions and associations. She wants to revive the local NFP committees that existed during the legislative elections. “It allows those who are not in political parties or unions – and that’s the vast majority of people – to get involved if they feel the NFP’s programme represents what they want from their society.”

Lucie Castets announces that she wants to return to the field – to crisscross France to talk in particular with voters of the National Rally. Even if, she says, it will sometimes be difficult.