La France insoumise (LFI), Europe Ecologie-Les Verts (EELV) and the Communist Party (PCF) had given themselves until the end of the week. But negotiations are slipping between the three former presidential opponents, with a view to an agreement for the legislative elections on June 12. “It’s a bit complicated”, grimaces Manuel Bompard, the head of negotiators for LFI, especially against Julien Bayou, his counterpart at EELV.
Between the Insoumis and the Greens, it is Europe that gets stuck
Concerning Europe, the Insoumis thought to convince the Greens by playing on the concept of “disobedience”. But environmentalists see it as the translation of the Mélenchonist “opt-out”, a refusal to apply certain European rules. But Yannick Jadot said on Tuesday that he was clearly opposed to “an à la carte European system”.
Second problem: the distribution of constituencies. EELV wants a “real” 20%, Julien Bayou arguing that LFI only offers “14.4% of winnable constituencies”, which Manuel Bompard denies, who claims to offer “20% of the 165 quality constituencies”.
Beginning of negotiations with the Communists and Socialists
The very name of the coalition poses a problem: if the Insoumis wish to keep the mention of “People’s Union”, the Greens and the Communists want to include the name of their party in it.
Negotiations with the latter have been delayed, Fabien Roussel wanting the Socialists to be included in the agreement to strengthen the coalition. A meeting Monday evening allowed the PCF to validate its first request, concerning the maintenance of its outgoing deputies, explains a party executive.
Finally, the track opens on the PS side: a first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. The subject of retirement at 60, dear to the rebels, but which does not convince the Socialists, should be the main point of friction between the two camps.