Three days before the first round of legislative elections, La France Insoumise (LFI) finds itself in turmoil in Loir-et-Cher. The New Popular Front member party announced the withdrawal of its candidate, Reda Belkadi, due to anti-Semitic tweets he posted in the past. The LFI electoral committee was informed of Belkadi's tweets from six years ago, leading to immediate action.
Reda Belkadi, a 26-year-old computer engineer, was also listed as a candidate for the 2024 European elections. The LFI electoral committee verified that Belkadi violated the commitment charter, which mandates candidates to reject all forms of discrimination, including sexism, racism, anti-Semitism, and LGBTIphobia. Consequently, his nomination was withdrawn, and the matter was referred to the Committee for Respect for Principles for his immediate exclusion from the party.
Belkadi's tweets included derogatory remarks toward Jewish individuals and references to Adolf Hitler. He also expressed admiration for far-right ideologue Alain Soral. Following the controversy, Belkadi's Twitter account was no longer accessible.
The incident has intensified scrutiny on LFI, which opponents often accuse of being ambiguous in its stance against anti-Semitism. This criticism has been particularly pronounced since the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7.
In a related development, Sébastien Delogu, an outgoing LFI deputy from Marseille, recently garnered attention by brandishing a Palestinian flag in the National Assembly. He continued to make waves on social media by posting a humorous video on Instagram. The video, using a cutscene from the 2020 season of the video game 'League of Legends,' depicted a political war between the New Popular Front, the National Rally, and the majority.
The video featured Delogu and other LFI members preparing for combat against political opponents, including Jordan Bardella, Florian Philippot, Meyer Habib, and Emmanuel Macron. The humorous and epic fight scenes culminated with Jean-Luc Mélenchon appearing as a 'final boss' to reinforce his troops.
- The removal of Reda Belkadi highlights the ongoing challenges political parties face in vetting candidates and maintaining adherence to ethical standards. The LFI's swift action in withdrawing Belkadi's nomination underscores its commitment to upholding its principles, despite the controversy.
- Sébastien Delogu's creative approach to political commentary via social media reflects a broader trend of politicians using digital platforms to engage with younger audiences. His use of popular culture references and humor aims to resonate with constituents and amplify his message.
