Legislative: Insubordinate France opens historic but difficult negotiations with the PS
“No insurmountable points” : the negotiations between La France insoumise (LFI) and the Socialist Party (PS) began on Wednesday with a meeting « positive »according to the protagonists, contrasting with the strategic and fundamental tensions which continue to disturb the discussions between “rebellious” and environmentalists. “We didn’t feel like we were talking to the same PS as two, three years ago”reported to the press the chief negotiator of LFI, Manuel Bompard, who has also started other bilateral discussions for more than a week with EELV, the PCF and the NPA.
Mr. Bompard considered that there was no “no talking point that seemed insurmountable” with the PS, following years of deep fracture fueled by an offensive presidential campaign by Anne Hidalgo once morest Mr. Mélenchon. “There is clearly a desire to display a break with the PS of François Hollande. They had no difficulty committing to the repeal of the El Khomri law, to the VIe République, price freezes, which are important markers for us”, rejoiced the MEP LFI. The spokesman of the PS, Pierre Jouvet, for his part declared to have “had a constructive discussion, which allowed us to move forward on certain points, there is no insurmountable sticking point between us” for an agreement.
Both formations will “continue to discuss in the hours that follow”he specified. “We are now expecting a public statement from the PS, which allows us to record these points of convergence. We will see if in the next few days it takes place, and, in this case, we can continue to discuss “warned Mr. Bompard.
Since the vote by its national council, eight days ago, of a desire to discuss with LFI for the legislative elections of June 12 and 19, the PS has been in the grip of tensions. Tuesday evening, the first secretary, Olivier Faure, criticized during a national office by the minority current of the party, invited those who think “that there is nothing more to do” from. Among those who oppose this rapprochement, the head of this current, Hélène Geoffroy, the mayor of Le Mans, Stéphane Le Foll, or even the former first secretary Jean-Christophe Cambadélis.