Rebellious Deputies Join Environmental Group
Clémentine Autain, Alexis Corbière, Hendrik Davi, François Ruffin, and Danielle Simonnet, the 'rebellious' deputies excluded from La France insoumise (LFI), have found a new political home. They will now sit within the parliamentary group of Ecologists in the National Assembly. This decision was unanimously voted on by the environmentalist deputies, as confirmed by Clémentine Autain and Cyrielle Chatelain, the former president of the environmental group.
Failed Attempts to Unite the Left
The rebellious deputies had initially aimed to create a larger group that included communists and overseas deputies. However, this effort did not materialize. The group, known as the 'democratic and republican left' (GDR), comprising communists and Ultramarines, decided to remain separate. Despite this setback, the environmentalist and Génération.s deputies welcomed the five former LFI members warmly. 'We had a common objective of creating a larger group with the communist and overseas deputies. This project could not see the light of day and we thank the environmentalist and Génération.s deputies for welcoming us warmly,' stated Clémentine Autain, MP for Seine-Saint-Denis.
Concerns and Future Prospects
The inclusion of these high-profile politicians, particularly presidential candidates Clémentine Autain and François Ruffin, has caused some concern among the Greens. 'It’s no longer the ecologists’ group, it’s François Ruffin’s group,' remarked an ecologist. Sandrine Rousseau, a well-known MP, views this transfer unfavorably, seeing it as competition. For the more moderate Greens, this move symbolizes an ideological shift towards the Melenchonist perspective. 'We give credence to the idea that they and us are a bit the same, while thumbing our noses at the socialists,' regretted a green elected official.
Despite these concerns, the new group aims to be unifying agents of the union of the left and environmentalists, essential to building majorities in the country. The name of the new group has not yet been decided, and a vote on the group's presidency is expected soon.
