The union of the left version NUPES (new popular, ecological and social union) has at least won one bet in Loiret : invested candidates will not have to face no dissenting candidates from the left. The division of constituencies, largely favorable to rebellious France, was able to cringe, especially in the PS, but without going to the point of rupture, unlike other regions in France. Even the socialist Fabien Rivière Da Silva, in St Jean-de-la-Ruelle, preferred to throw in the towel.
This does not guarantee a loss of votes on the left, to the benefit of independent candidates – we think for example of Yann Chaillou, who left the PS in 2017, and who is running in the 2nd constituency – for the benefit of the animalist party – present in 5 constituencies – or protesting candidates – such as Olivier Rohaut – or even candidates from the presidential majority who could attract more moderate voters. But this clearly strengthens the left’s chances of reaching the second roundwhich none of its candidates had succeeded in doing 5 years ago.
“What brings us together is urgency”
“This union, it is in any case imposed on us by the voters who asked us to stop the bullshit“, explains Dominique Tripet, communist departmental councilor of Orléans. “Honestly, if there hadn’t been this union, I’m not sure that I would have been a candidateaffirms for her part Florence Chabirand (LFI), candidate for the 5th constituency, because leaving in disorganized order with proposals that look alike, people can’t take it anymore.“
NUPES has defined a “shared program of government” cash 650 measurements including the Smic at 1,500 euros net, wage increases, retirement at 60, price freezes, the Sixth Republic or even the citizens’ initiative referendum. 33 measures are called “in nuance” : these are in fact the points on which LFI, the PS, the PC and the ecologists have not managed to agree, and this concerns in particular nuclear power, Ukraine, NATO, hunting, nationalizations, the GPA, the legalization of cannabis. “What brings us together is urgencyassumes Emmanuel Duplessy, candidate (Ecologist Pole) in the 2nd constituency. The urgency is at the same time social, ecological, democratic, in a context of risk posed by the extreme right. This is our common base.“
The distant precedent of 2012
What hopes can NUPES have in Loiret? If we look at the results of the first round of the presidential election, the total left (Mélenchon + Jadot + Roussel + Hidalgo) only came out on top in the 6th constituency (30.7% against 29.9% for Emmanuel Macron); he is neck and neck with Emmanuel Macron in the 2nd constituency (29.8%) he obtains 2nd place in the 1st constituency (30.7% against 33.8% for Emmanuel Macron). In the three other constituencies, the total left only obtains 3rd place.
Given the abstention, only the first 2 places risk qualifying for the second round. In 2012, the left had succeeded in imposing itself only in the 6th district, the socialist Valérie Corre had then been elected deputy. But at the time, the total left in this constituency had risen to 39.6% during the 1st round of the presidential election – therefore 9 points more than this year. This means that a victory in June will be anything but easy.
Candidates supported for NUPES in Loiret:
- 1st Orléans-Sud constituency: Ghislaine Kounowski (PS)
- 2nd Orléans-Ouest constituency: Emmanuel Duplessy (Ecologist Pole / Generation.s)
- 3rd constituency Sologne-Gien: Kevin Merlot (LFI)
- 4th constituency Montargis: Bruno Nottin (PCF)
- 5th district Fleury-Pithiviers: Florence Chabirand (LFI)
- 6th Orléans-East constituency: Olivier Hicter (LFI)