Jean-Luc Mélenchon enjoys a walkabout at the Festival du Livre and a handshake with Édouard Philippe

“She shook Mélenchon’s hand!” Like a real star, at the Festival du Livre in Paris, Jean-Luc Mélenchon is surrounded by dozens of high school girls ready to do anything for a photo. “I’m impressed! The Republic is really him!”, laughs a young woman. Yet he refuses to take pictures “if I take the photos, it will turn to the star-system”confides the leader of the deputies La France insoumise. “It’s already painful to me.” On the stand of its publisher, support ignites. “What are you saying ?”asks Jean-Luc Mélenchon. “Third round!chant the young people. At Matignon!”

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The one who now sees himself Prime Minister of the Opposition has extended his hand to the left. Negotiations are currently underway. “Yes, it’s fine, it’s a discussion that is respectfulconfides Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Everyone went down a tone or two. I have always been good, kind and lovable. It was due to a misunderstanding that we understood the opposite!

The one who finished in third place in the first round of the presidential election rejoices: “Honestly, the discussions with Europe Écologie-Les Verts are taking place under conditions that are incredibly favorable. You know, I stick to a formula of François Mitterrand ‘Do not offend anyone’. Rather, it is the Communist Party that is strange. Since it’s there, it’s not going to do it.” A change in tone that denotes the rebellious ready to discuss, unlike 2017.

“I know I’m taking a risk, it’s a bet, but I think that’s our responsibility, at this time, given our strength. We have to mutate as we move forward.”

Jean-Luc Melenchon

at franceinfo

“Mr. Mélenchon, we wanted to thank youdeclare these two professors to the deputy. Thanks for everything you’ve done. You have given us a lot of hope and it has been great for us, this campaign. very disappointed [du second tour].”

And at the bend of a stand, the one who sees himself at Matignon falls on Edouard Philippe. “And what did you write?”launches Jean-Luc Mélenchon. “I wrote about ‘What is it like to be Prime Minister’, it seems that it is of interestsmiles the former Prime Minister. We wrote about ‘what was the experience at Matignon’. I think we are going to offer some to Mr. Mélenchon because, you never know.

The two men offer a frank handshake in front of the cameras. “I wouldn’t want to harm Mr. Mélenchon’s career. We should never insult the future in our profession.” Jean-Luc Mélenchon leaves with his book and warns, teasingly: “Hold on tight, I’m coming.”