Claude Chirac, daughter of former President Jacques Chirac and elected departmental councilor of Corrèze, has openly criticized the alliance between former socialist president François Hollande and La France insoumise (LFI) within the New Popular Front during the anticipated legislative elections. In a statement on France Bleu Limousin, she expressed her disapproval, stating that it is not understandable why Hollande chose to include the New Popular Front in his election campaign, particularly given LFI's stance on fundamental issues.
Chirac compared the current political landscape to the 2002 presidential election, where her father faced Jean-Marie Le Pen of the National Front in the second round. She emphasized that the situation today is markedly different, arguing that a coalition around LFI is not comparable to the rally that occurred around Jacques Chirac in 2002. She stressed the importance of standing firm in one's convictions and offering a real choice to the people of Corrèze.
In the same vein, François Ruffin, a candidate of the New Popular Front, has distanced himself from LFI. Ruffin, who is seeking re-election as a deputy from the Somme, announced on RTL that he would not sit with the Mélenchonists in the National Assembly if victorious in the second round. He expressed his intent to collaborate with communists, environmentalists, and other political groups instead. Ruffin's departure from LFI was confirmed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who noted that Ruffin had left the movement on his own.
Ruffin justified his departure by citing deep disagreements with Mélenchon on issues of democracy and political strategy. He emphasized his preference for a quieter, more forceful approach over Mélenchon's more combative style. This split highlights the ongoing tensions within the New Popular Front, as different factions struggle to align their political strategies and ideologies.
- Claude Chirac also highlighted the high scores of the far-right party in Corrèze, a region known for its cultural, historical, and political significance. She reiterated the importance of fighting extremism, a battle her father Jacques Chirac was known for.
- Ruffin's refusal to sit with LFI underscores the broader challenges faced by the New Popular Front in maintaining unity among its diverse political factions. His call for collaboration with other leftist groups suggests a potential realignment of political forces within the French left.
