In an interview with Libération, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, expresses her deep anger towards her political family, the Socialist Party (PS), for what she sees as a mistake in preventing the nomination of Bernard Cazeneuve as Prime Minister, despite him coming from within their ranks. She criticizes the party leadership for deferring to Jean-Luc Mélenchon and argues that Cazeneuve, a leftist figure, could have potentially united and offered a government without the approval of the far-right. The PS leadership denies that Emmanuel Macron ever seriously considered appointing Cazeneuve.
Hidalgo, along with dissenters Hélène Geoffroy and Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, is in internal opposition to Olivier Faure, the current First Secretary of the party, and believes that a congress of the PS is urgently needed. She argues that the party statutes mandate it and that it is crucial for resolving the differing strategic lines within the party while respecting individuals and ideas. The next congress is scheduled for early 2025. Since the Marseille congress in January 2023, there has been a strategic divide within the party regarding an alliance with La France insoumise (LFI) and its leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Olivier Faure’s stance of left-wing unity with the “insoumis,” as seen in the former Nupes alliance where LFI was in the majority, narrowly defeated the position of Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, close to Hidalgo and Carole Delga, as well as Hélène Geoffroy, who opposed LFI.
Hidalgo’s call for a PS congress is driven by her belief that the party needs to resolve its internal divisions and determine a clear strategic direction. She believes that the party should have supported Cazeneuve’s potential appointment and that they need to move forward without being influenced by external forces such as Mélenchon and the far-right. By convening a congress, the PS can address the differing viewpoints within the party and work towards unity and clarity in its political approach. Hidalgo’s stance aligns with those who oppose an alliance with LFI and seek a different path for the party.
The internal opposition within the PS, led by Hidalgo and her allies, presents a challenge to the current party leadership under Olivier Faure. The disagreement over strategic direction and alliances reflects broader ideological tensions within the party and raises questions about its future trajectory. Hidalgo’s criticism of the party’s handling of the Cazeneuve nomination highlights a deeper frustration with its decision-making processes and the influence of external actors. The call for a congress is seen as a necessary step towards resolving these issues and charting a new course for the PS moving forward.
As the debate within the PS continues, the party faces a critical juncture in determining its future path and ideological stance. The outcome of the next congress will be crucial in shaping the party’s direction and determining its relationships with other left-wing forces such as LFI. Hidalgo’s call for unity and clarity resonates with those who seek a reaffirmation of socialist principles and a strategic framework that prioritizes leftist values while navigating complex political dynamics. The tensions within the PS underscore the challenges of building consensus and cohesion within a political party that must adapt to changing societal and political landscapes.
