The Socialist Party opens its summer university in Blois, between combativeness and internal divisions

With a good score in the European and legislative elections, the PS is confident for this political return. But it remains divided over the strategy to adopt in the face of Emmanuel Macron.

The socialists will meet in Blois from Thursday, August 29 for their summer university. A political return in a particular context since France still does not have a new Prime Minister. Emmanuel Macron continues his consultations, with the representatives of the regions of France on Thursday morning, after having dismissed the option of Lucie Castets at Matignon, the candidate of the New Popular Front, at the beginning of the week. The PS which, despite the roller coaster of recent years, is keen to show that it is getting back on its feet, and is weighing on the left.

The socialists have not seen this for years. They are expecting people in Blois, including young people who have just joined the PS since the last elections, the organizers assure, but without giving any figures. But the party also remains divided on the strategy to adopt within the New Popular Front.

After a catastrophic presidential election (Anne Hidalgo had won 1.7% of the vote), the explosion of the first union of the left, the Nupes, the PS now feels reinvigorated. With twice as many deputies since the last legislative elections, there are now 66. Hence the theme of these summer universities: “winning the battle”, a way of recalling its score in the European elections, with 13.7% for Raphaël Glucksmann.

The MEP, invited to Blois, arrived neck and neck with the Macronist list, and above all first on the left in the European elections. “Even if Emmanuel Macron stole this moment of rejoicing from us” with the dissolution, confides Emma Rafowicz, newly elected MEP. Her score “confirms that we have a solid foundation” adds Senator Corinne Narassiguin.

But behind these successes in the last elections, there are deep divisions in the PS. The party is once again on the verge of exploding. With still on one side the pro Olivier Faure, the party’s number 1, who plead for the union of the left. His supporters want to continue the arm wrestling with Emmanuel Macron to impose a government of the New Popular Front.

But on the other side, there are those who want the Socialist Party to be independent, especially from La France Insoumise, like Nicolas Mayer Rossignol and Hélène Geoffroy, at the head of two currents that are certainly in the minority, but which represent, according to them, 51% of the activists. This has led to discussions “tense and difficult” during the national office on Tuesday, several participants told franceinfo.

“We do not give ourselves the means to govern”castigated on franceinfo Hélène Geoffroy who asks Olivier Faure to “clarify the strategy” of the party.“Nothing new under the sun, always the same postures”sweeps a close friend of the First Secretary of the PS. For him, they are preparing the next Congress at the beginning of 2025 with one objective: to oust Olivier Faure.