NFP voters disappointed by divisions

“Disappointing and irresponsible”, a “scandalous battle of egos and ambitions”, “pathetic”… Our readers are not kind to the divisions over the name of a candidate for Matignon that are tarnishing the left-wing alliance of the New Popular Front. Having come out on top in the second round of the legislative elections 9 days ago, the NFP has been struggling to reach an agreement since then. On Monday evening, the socialists, environmentalists and communists proposed a new name from civil society to lift the deadlock: that of Laurence Tubiana. A proposal that is “not serious” for La France insoumise, which rejected this hypothesis. “I am shocked by LFI’s extremism. If they don’t want to exercise power… Madame Tubiana as Prime Minister was such a relevant person, an environmentalist, an economist… it’s enough to make you cry”, laments Stéphane, 58, a resident of Saint-Chamond (Loire) who describes himself as “centre-left”.

A few days ago, it was the Socialist Party that spoke out against Huguette Bello’s name at Matignon. “I think the New Popular Front shows a deplorable face for democracy. In a democracy there is a simple way to decide between candidates, it is the vote”, complains Éric, 48 years old, who also responded to our call for testimonies from Castelginest (Haute-Garonne). “When the imminent danger of the extreme right in power is no longer present, the NFP coalition has difficulty functioning. Let’s go through a vote, since it does not work in a small committee of representatives”, also agrees Ludovic, 35 years old.

” Don’t disappoint us!”

Jean-Pierre, 68, calls for his part to adopt “the NFP program” as a “compass”, because it “represents the contract of trust with those who voted for the New Popular Front”. “The choice of the Prime Minister must ensure that it is indeed this program that will guide the decisions that will be taken. The opposite would be a new betrayal and would certainly engender deep distrust during the next elections”, warns this resident of Chalon-sur-Saône (Saône-et-Loire).

Other readers are more clear about their preferences: “François Ruffin is a valid candidate to be Prime Minister, just like Alexis Corbière, Yannick Jadot, Raphaël Glucksmann or Marine Tondelier,” says Olivier, 53, in Cras (Isère). “I would like to see people like Glucksmann, Tondelier, Autain, Ruffin, who I believe to be competent and sincere, in major positions of responsibility,” writes Anne-Claire, a 76-year-old Alsatian.

“The left has a unique opportunity for government, perhaps the first for a long time. The stakes are much higher than those of a political policy or a war of egos, it is about the survival of the ideals of this country. Moving beyond the deep divergences is imperative,” insists Arthur, 25, who lives in Brest. “Don’t disappoint us, the future rests with you, the NFP,” implores Camille, 29. The young woman, who says she is “very worried” about the blockages within the NFP, “hopes that the discussions will resume quickly and effectively, that everyone will rise to the occasion.”

A “Nupes remake”

For many of our readers, however, the current situation is not a surprise: “It was a foregone conclusion, the previous coalition – the Nupes – did not work. They believed that by changing the name, things would change, wrong. Once again, the only program was to counter the RN. They managed to get elected thanks to the votes of the French but today the voters feel cheated”, regrets Jean-Marc, a 59-year-old from Isère. “The NFP is a remake of the Nupes, I never believed in its ability to extend the state of grace beyond a few weeks. But to see them tearing each other apart the day after the elections…”, writes Patrick, 61, a resident of Obernai.

“This fracture was predictable, because the coalition was primarily intended to gather the maximum number of votes on the left,” agrees Dominique, a 56-year-old from Normandy. However, he considers “the spectacle offered by the party leaders” to be “deplorable,” saying he is “disappointed and pessimistic for the future.” “A boulevard is open for a recomposition of the right or, worse, an RN victory in three years,” he judges. “This little game gives pride of place to the RN, which only has to wait for the disaster to finally take place to pick up the crumbs,” also considers Greg, 42 (Vaulnaveys-le-Haut-Isère). “The left is discredited for many years to come,” says Hervé, 75, from Thonon-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie).

“Why continue to vote?”

“I thought that the NFP would allow us to put aside the egos of some and put forward political ideas. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in the opposite situation after the legislative elections. I am afraid that voters will feel abandoned, not listened to… We will once again have a reason for people to distrust institutions and the executives or leaders of political parties,” thinks Anthony, 36 years old (Le Pont-de-Beauvoisin).

Several readers say they are disappointed. “Today, this left makes me ashamed, in the end everyone thinks more about their place than about protecting the French. Today, why continue to vote?” asks Bruno, a 42-year-old from Saint-Etienne, while Gilbert, 69, declares that he did not go to vote “for that”. “The union of the left was only an illusion. Because of them, we are going to be led again by a Macronist government, everything we did not want. I can tell myself that I should have voted RN, at least there would not be this uncertainty and this bad image of French politics”, declares Olch, 63.

Others, like Jean-Marc, Hubert or Denis, are calling for the implementation of a new democratic system, such as proportional representation. Christine, a 70-year-old from Drôme, is pushing for “looking towards other compromises with other people of good will”. “Otherwise, the crisis will set in and what comes out of it risks being the worst,” she believes.