Marie Toussaint, the lead candidate for Europe Ecologie-Les Verts (EELV) in the European elections, criticized the “unclear” strategy of the socialists and the “brutal” politics of the “insoumis” during a campaign rally in Bordeaux on May 4, 2024. She was accompanied by the national secretary of the green party, Marine Tondelier, former Green party presidential candidate Yannick Jadot, and Pierre Hurmic, the mayor of the city where she grew up. Toussaint denounced the increasing precarity in France and the return to the criteria of the stability pact in Europe, targeting the “European socialists who are advocating for austerity.”
Toussaint went on to criticize the socialists’ approach as just borrowing the language of ecology without truly advocating for it. She described it as “Canada Dry,” implying that it may look like ecology on the surface, but in reality, it continues to support a model that is unsustainable. She emphasized the need for a change in direction and a focus on combating climate change. As the election approaches, Toussaint is polling at 6-8% of the votes, behind the lead candidate for PS-Place publique, Raphaël Glucksmann. Toussaint argued that the only vote that truly aligns with climate and justice values is the green vote.
She criticized the division within the left and ecological camps, particularly targeting Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his “scorched earth policy.” Toussaint accused Mélenchon of overshadowing the importance of Europe, which she believes is the right scale to address climate change. She condemned his strategy of dividing the left into two blocs and preventing any unity that could form without him. Toussaint proposed a “third way” between the “unclear strategy” and “brutal politics,” advocating for a European welfare state as an alternative to national selfishness, contrasting the “green pact” with the “brown pact.”
In her campaign, Toussaint emphasized the need for unity and collaboration to address the pressing issues of climate change. She criticized the tactics of polarization and tension introduced by some parties on the left, stressing the importance of working together towards a common goal. Toussaint positioned herself as a candidate who is focused on creating a more sustainable, equitable future for all, highlighting the importance of European cooperation to combat global challenges. She called for a shift towards a more environmentally conscious and socially just society, advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of both people and the planet.
