François Hollande Makes a Political Comeback
In a surprise move, former French President François Hollande announced his candidacy in the upcoming legislative elections. Hollande will be running as a PS candidate in the first constituency of Corrèze, supported by the New Popular Front. He aims to block the far-right from gaining power in France. The decision has been confirmed by his entourage and is expected to shake up the political landscape.
Hollande, who served as President of France from 2012 to 2017, has a long-standing history in politics, having been a deputy from 1997 to 2012. His relationships within the Socialist Party (PS) and the broader left-wing factions have been complex, particularly with current PS First Secretary Olivier Faure. Despite these tensions, Hollande has expressed strong support for a united left under the New Popular Front to combat the far-right's rise.
Hollande's decision comes amid criticism of the recent dissolution of the National Assembly, which he termed as having been made 'at the worst time and in the worst circumstances.' He emphasized the need for responsibility across the political spectrum to prevent the extreme right from coming to power in France. His candidacy reportedly displaced Tulle's mayor Bernard Combes, highlighting Hollande's influential status within the party.
Clarification and Strategic Alignments Before Legislative Elections
The political stage in France has been in flux since the dissolution of the National Assembly. As legislative elections approach, parties are finalizing their candidacies. Emmanuel Macron, who has called for 'clarification' in the political environment, sarcastically commented on Aurélien Rousseau’s transition from a government minister to a candidate for the New Popular Front.
Aurélien Rousseau, who served as the Minister of Health for a brief period, will be running in the third constituency of Yvelines. Rousseau, a figure from the left wing of Macron's movement, left the government following the controversial immigration law passed by the RN deputies. He has since positioned himself as a key player in the New Popular Front, emphasizing the coalition's unique ability to block the far-right.
Rousseau's candidacy was met with irony by Macron, especially given Rousseau's involvement in the pension reform—a policy that the left seeks to dismantle. Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti also criticized Rousseau, questioning how he plans to reconcile his past endorsement of pension reforms with his new political stance. Meanwhile, EELV MP Sandrine Rousseau welcomed his alignment with the left, particularly due to his departure from government over the immigration law.
- François Hollande's return to the political arena could mark a significant shift in the legislative landscape, particularly in Corrèze and more broadly within the PS.
- Aurélien Rousseau’s role in the New Popular Front underscores the dynamic and sometimes contradictory nature of political alliances in contemporary French politics.
- Both Hollande and Rousseau’s candidacies reflect a broader strategy among the left to unify against the far-right, which continues to be a formidable force in French politics.
