For several days, the two political parties have been arguing over the name of a Prime Minister to propose to Emmanuel Macron. They accuse each other of blocking negotiations.
Since its narrow victory in the early legislative elections, nothing has been simple for the New Popular Front (NFP). For eight days, the left-wing partners have failed to agree on the name of a Prime Minister to propose to Emmanuel Macron to replace Gabriel Attal. A tipping point was reached on Monday, July 15, with the suspension of negotiations on the formation of a government, announced by La France Insoumise (LFI) in a press release.
“We will not participate in any further discussions on the formation of the government until the single candidacy for the National Assembly has been secured and the vote has taken place.”defends Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s movement. “Discussions should be prioritized”explains to franceinfo Paul Vannier, one of the negotiators on the LFI side, who points out the “ukases” of the Socialist Party (PS).
Between the socialists and the rebels, the conflict on the line did not start on Monday. “It has been a toxic climate since the start of negotiations between the PS and LFI, each of which is flexing its muscles for the post of Prime Minister.”deciphers one of the participants in the negotiations of the New Popular Front. As soon as the composition of the National Assembly was known, negotiations resumed intensely between LFI, the PS, Les Ecologistes-ELLV and the French Communist Party (PCF). The socialists quickly put forward the name of Olivier Faure, head of the party, to access Matignon and impose a cohabitation with Emmanuel Macron.
La France Insoumise has dismissed this hypothesis, preferring to put forward four names: Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Mathilde Panot, Manuel Bompard or Clémence Guetté. In turn, the PS has refused to see one of these profiles win, in particular that of the former candidate in the presidential election. “LFI blocks everything, they are irresponsible and do not live up to expectations. They bring out Mélenchon, it’s unbearable”complained a socialist to franceinfo on Friday.
The leader of the communists, Fabien Roussel, pushed another name into the discussions between left-wing partners at the end of the week: Huguette Bello, president of La Réunion. La France insoumise validated the name of this close friend of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, present in last position on Manon Aubry’s list for the European elections in June. The environmentalist representatives did not veto it, unlike the negotiators of the Socialist Party.
On Sunday morning, Huguette Bello declined “the offer” to become Prime Minister, given the lack of consensus, “notably” due to the fact “that it is not supported by the Socialist Party”. “Huguette Bello, it’s a hoax”swept aside a socialist elected official on Monday, who sees it as a profile chosen by the communists to avoid seeing three overseas deputies join the LFI group in the Assembly. The PCF would thus have lost its own group, for lack of bringing together 15 elected officials. “If we had ended up this weekend with Huguette Bello at Matignon, we could discuss the presidency of the National Assembly and the government team”accuses Paul Vannier for his part.
“The PS’s attitude doesn’t make things any easier. On their side, there is a ‘revival’ of the Hollande years, a form of arrogance, of nostalgia for the hegemonic years.”
Paul Vannier, MP for La France Insoumiseto franceinfo
After the socialist “no”, tensions between LFI and the PS have increased further. “If things are blocked today, it is clearly the fault of the Socialist Party. For seven days, it has expressed total opposition to all proposals that are made other than those that come from the Socialist Party.”castigated Manuel Bompard, coordinator of LFI, on BFMTV on Monday. “Nothing was blocked, we simply had a discussion. There were other applications that were proposed and which were rejected by the rebels. It is not illogical that each time, we each have our say”Olivier Faure defended himself at the same time on France 2.
“We need to put the sense of priorities where they belong. The fact that some people get upset is their problem. Everyone needs to answer this question: how can you lead sustainably when you have 190 MPs?”asks Rachid Temal, socialist senator from Val-d’Oise and supporter of an expansion of the left-wing majority, like Philippe Brun. “The left bloc, which came out on top, has the responsibility to discuss with the others to find a majority”argued on X the deputy of Eure.
Before the LFI press release and the suspension of negotiations for Matignon, the differences between the two parties also focused on the urgency of the situation. “We cannot be asked to go faster than Emmanuel Macron, who waited several weeks to form a government in January. We are on a tight schedule, but we must be patient.”explains to franceinfo the socialist Arthur Delaporte. On France 2, Olivier Faure said “hope” that the NFP candidate is known “this week”. “Rather than wasting time on palaver, the New Popular Front must immediately agree on a common candidacy for the presidency of the National Assembly”launched Manuel Bompard on Monday morning.
While discussions on the identity of a possible Prime Minister are on hold, there is no guarantee that negotiations for the presidency of the National Assembly will be more peaceful between partners on edge. “We expect an extremely sectarian reaction from the PS”assures Paul Vannier after the publication of the LFI press release.
In a statement published on X by Olivier Faure on Monday evening, the pink party said “to regret” LFI’s decision, while refuting the opposition of a “systematic veto” to the NFP candidacies. The PS “wishes for an immediate resumption of discussions”The party also says it is in favour of a “single candidacy of the New Popular Front for the perch”. A close friend of Olivier Faure speaks with franceinfo a choice “suicidal” rebels.
For his part, Fabien Roussel issued a warning on Monday evening in another press release: “on the danger of ending these discussions” and warns about a decision “incomprehensible” from LFI. “Our responsibility is immense”he wrote on X. A communist leader criticizes the attitude of the rebels even more harshly: “It is irresponsible, given the expectations of the left-wing electorate.” The PCF also says it is in favour of a single candidate for the presidency of the National Assembly.
However, each NFP party has its favorite to succeed Yaël Braun-Pivet: Cyrielle Chatelain for Les Ecologistes-EELV, Boris Vallaud for the PS or André Chassaigne for the PCF. The LFI elected officials, for their part, are keeping the profile they wish to put forward for this position a secret. Without a common candidate, the left is almost certain to lose this eminently strategic position, and will suffer a first major setback after its success in the legislative elections.