Thomas Cazenave's Re-election in Bordeaux
Thomas Cazenave, the outgoing deputy from Ensemble!, secured his re-election in the 1st constituency of Gironde with 43.2% of the votes. Despite a challenging campaign and a three-way tie against municipal elected official Céline Papin (NFP - 35.9%) and Bruno Paluteau (RN - 20.8%), Cazenave emerged victorious with a lead of over 5,300 votes. His victory was particularly significant in areas like the wealthy Chartrons district and the new Bacalan district. Cazenave expressed satisfaction with the results, though his victory was downplayed by the mayor of Bordeaux, Pierre Hurmic.
The Future of the New Popular Front
The New Popular Front (NFP), an alliance of left-wing parties, also made significant gains in the recent legislative elections. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a prominent figure in the NFP, declared the alliance ready to govern, though he faced opposition within his own ranks about his candidacy for Prime Minister. Leaders within the NFP, including Marine Tondelier and Yannick Jadot, emphasized the need for a consensual Prime Minister who can unite the party and the country. Discussions are ongoing within the NFP to find a suitable candidate, with names like Clémence Guetté and Manuel Bompard being considered.
- Cazenave is now preparing to focus entirely on his role as an elected representative of the territory, stepping away from his ministerial duties. He aims to work with deputies who align on major issues to mitigate the instability brought by the 'three big blocs' formed in the recent elections.
- Céline Papin, who congratulated Cazenave, also called for cooperation among democratic forces to support the political majority. However, Cazenave dismissed the idea of collaborating with LFI or RN, viewing the NFP as merely an alliance of convenience.
- Within the NFP, there is a clear divide regarding leadership. While Mélenchon remains a significant figure, other leaders argue for a more consensual candidate to lead as Prime Minister. The decision on the new leadership is expected to be made through a vote or consensus within the NFP group.
