Léon Deffontaines, the lead candidate for the PCF in the European elections, held a meeting in Bordeaux on March 7, 2024. In attendance was Alain, a 26-year-old member of the French Communist Party who had previously voted for the party in the 2019 European elections. However, this year he was unsure and came to listen to Deffontaines in order to make up his mind. The meeting was considered an important moment in the campaign, as it took place in the same location where supporters of the “no” vote on the European Constitutional Treaty had gathered in 2005.
Deffontaines aimed to portray a unified image of the left during the meeting, despite the wide presence of flags representing the Young Communists Movement in the room. The communist label was not prominently displayed, with the focus instead on the coalition of parties under the banner of the “united left for the world of work.” The meeting also saw the announcement of the Movement of the Republicans and Citizens joining the coalition, a small protectionist party created by Jean-Pierre Chevènement in 2003.
The campaign focused on opposition to what Deffontaines called “liberal Europe.” During the meeting, several members of the PCF presented the party’s program, with a strong emphasis on defending French workers against the perceived threats of liberal Europe. Deffontaines sought to distinguish himself on the left by emphasizing social issues over divisive cultural topics. He criticized the European institutions and positioned the PCF as defenders of public services, which were central to his campaign message.
Deffontaines’ speech highlighted his commitment to fighting against the “bureaucracy of Brussels” and defending national sovereignty. He accused the European Union of imposing norms without respect for the sovereignty of its member states. The PCF candidate positioned himself as a champion of public services, which he believed were under threat from the policies of the EU. His campaign message resonated with the audience, as he sought to rally support for his vision of a more socially focused Europe.
Overall, the meeting served as a platform for Deffontaines and the PCF to present their vision for the upcoming European elections. The focus on social issues, defense of public services, and opposition to liberal Europe were central themes of the campaign. By emphasizing unity on the left and appealing to workers’ interests, Deffontaines sought to differentiate himself from other left-wing parties that he accused of prioritizing divisive cultural issues. The meeting concluded with a call to action for supporters to join the PCF in their fight against what they saw as the negative influences of the European institutions.
