LRéunion’s regional president, Huguette Bello, announced on Sunday that she was “immediately declining” the offer to become Prime Minister on behalf of the New Popular Front (NFP), due to the lack of agreement between the left-wing partners.
In a statement, Ms. Bello said she “acknowledged” that her candidacy “is not the subject of a consensus between all the components of the New Popular Front, and in particular that it is not supported by the Socialist Party.” “Under these conditions and anxious for a rapid agreement within the NFP, I have decided to decline without further delay the offer that was made to me,” she added.
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The name of Mrs Bello, a former member of parliament for 23 years representing the communist group, was suggested on Wednesday evening by PCF leader Fabien Roussel during negotiations between left-wing allies.
The proposal was quickly accepted by the Insoumis, a group to which Ms. Bello is close. “She is an exceptional political leader,” LFI MP Clémence Guetté insisted Sunday morning on France Inter, stressing that she “had proven that she knew how to lead an executive” and that she “had a life of fighting and activism on her side.”
But the PS, which held its National Council on Saturday evening, rejected this candidacy and called for continued discussions. “No name is a consensus” among the NFP partners “at this stage”, PS Secretary General Pierre Jouvet had said in a statement to AFP on Saturday.
In response, Manuel Bompard, coordinator of La France insoumise, accused the PS of “blocking everything” by this refusal, following six days of negotiations to try to form a left-wing government following the legislative elections. The deputy of Bouches-du-Rhône convened his party’s authorities on Sunday at 12:00 “to analyze the meaning of the constant blockages of the Socialist Party once morest any candidacy other than that of its first secretary, Olivier Faure.”
“We were waiting to understand what political arguments” the PS “opposed to Ms Bello’s candidacy, we had none,” lamented Ms Guetté on Sunday.
“We will continue to talk to each other, that’s obvious,” she said. “It’s normal that these discussions are demanding and don’t happen in a minute,” she added.
Huguette Bello Declines Prime Minister Offer Amid Left-Wing Discord
LThe President of the Réunion region, Huguette Bello, announced on Sunday that she was “immediately declining the offer” to become Prime Minister on behalf of the New Popular Front (NFP), due to the lack of an agreement between the left-wing partners.
In a statement, Ms. Bello said she “acknowledged” that her candidacy “is not the subject of a consensus between all the components of the New Popular Front, and in particular that it is not supported by the Socialist Party.” “Under these conditions and anxious for a rapid agreement within the NFP, I have decided to decline without further delay the offer that was made to me,” she added.
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The name of Mrs. Bello, who was a member of parliament for 23 years within the communist group, was mentioned on Wednesday evening by the head of the PCF Fabien Roussel during negotiations between left-wing allies.
The proposal was quickly accepted by the Insoumis, to whom Ms. Bello is close. “She is an exceptional political leader,” LFI MP Clémence Guetté insisted Sunday morning on France Inter, stressing that she “had proven that she knew how to lead an executive” and that she “had a life of fighting and activism on her side.”
But the PS, which held its National Council on Saturday evening, rejected this candidacy and called for discussions to continue. “No name is a consensus” among the NFP partners “at this stage”, PS Secretary General Pierre Jouvet had said in a statement to AFP on Saturday.
In the process, the coordinator of La France insoumise Manuel Bompard accused the PS of “blocking everything” by this refusal, following six days of negotiations to try to form a left-wing government following the legislative elections. The deputy of Bouches-du-Rhône convened his party’s authorities on Sunday at 12:00 “to analyze the meaning of the constant blockages of the Socialist Party once morest any candidacy other than that of its first secretary, Olivier Faure.”
“We were waiting to understand what political arguments” the PS “opposed to Ms. Bello’s candidacy, we had none,” lamented Ms. Guetté on Sunday.
“We will continue to talk to each other, that’s obvious,” she said. “It’s normal that these discussions are demanding and don’t happen in a minute,” she added.
Negotiation Breakdown: A Clash of Political Ambitions
The rejection of Huguette Bello’s candidacy signifies a significant setback for the New Popular Front, highlighting the deep divisions within the left-wing coalition.
The Socialist Party’s stance, advocating for its own first secretary, Olivier Faure, as Prime Minister, appears to be driven by a desire to maintain its leadership position within the coalition. However, this stance has been met with resistance from other parties, particularly La France Insoumise, which perceives it as a blocking tactic hindering the formation of a left-wing government.
The impasse reflects the complex dynamics within the left-wing alliance, where competing political ambitions and ideological differences are creating obstacles to unity.
Key Takeaways:
- The Socialist Party’s rejection of Huguette Bello’s candidacy has stalled negotiations for the formation of a left-wing government.
- The PS’s insistence on Olivier Faure’s candidacy has been viewed as a power play by other parties, particularly La France Insoumise.
- This incident highlights the deep divisions and conflicting ambitions within the left-wing coalition, raising concerns regarding its capacity to govern effectively.
The Future of the New Popular Front:
The current impasse raises serious questions regarding the future of the New Popular Front. The coalition’s ability to overcome the current deadlock and form a united government will depend on its capacity to bridge the ideological divides and reach a consensus on key leadership positions.
The coming days will be crucial for the NFP, which must find a way to reconcile the conflicting ambitions of its constituent parties and move forward towards a unified agenda.
Impact on French Politics:
The failure of the left-wing coalition to unite and form a government will likely have significant repercussions for French politics. It might lead to a period of political instability and a weakening of the left-wing bloc, making it more difficult to challenge the incumbent right-wing government.
The upcoming months will be critical for the French left, which must address its internal divisions and find a path forward that allows it to effectively represent the interests of its constituents and play a meaningful role in French politics.
