The left is divided in the lead-up to the European elections on June 9, with tensions rising between La France insoumise (LFI) and the Parti socialiste (PS). Olivier Besancenot, a former candidate for the Ligue communiste révolutionnaire (LCR) in the presidential elections of 2002 and 2007, is calling for a united response from the left. In the face of bans on conferences, summons for terrorism apologists targeting Insoumis candidates, and the rise of the far right, Besancenot is resurrecting the old slogan of “resist together even when walking separately,” a reference to the tactic of the workers’ united front developed at the Third Congress of the Communist International in 1921.
Besancenot, currently a member of NPA L’Anticapitaliste, one of the two branches that emerged from the split of the Nouveau Parti anticapitaliste in December 2022 (the other being NPA Révolutionnaires), argues that society is facing a critical moment where right-wing and left-wing positions are being blurred. He warns against the return of predictable quarrels and rivalries ahead of the 2027 presidential election, emphasizing the importance of unity on the left to combat the growing influence of the far-right party, Rassemblement National (RN). Besancenot urges the left to move away from internal competition and focus on a common front against the threat posed by the RN.
Meanwhile, a unified framework involving trade unions such as the CGT and the Syndicat de la magistrature, the Ligue des droits de l’homme, various associations, and left-wing parties has been reactivated. This initiative was sparked by a joint statement titled “Against a silenced democracy, Let’s defend public freedoms,” published on Mediapart on April 25. The groups have agreed to come together for a joint statement in front of the National Assembly on May 15, followed by a “festival of public freedoms” on June 1 in Paris, to highlight the importance of defending civil liberties against growing threats and encroachments.
Besancenot points out the urgency of the current political moment, where societal norms and values seem to be shifting, with the extreme right presenting itself as anti-racist and the left being labeled as antisemitic. He calls for a collective awakening against these divisive tactics and stresses the need for a united front to counter the rise of the far right and protect the values of democracy. By emphasizing the importance of solidarity and shared struggles, Besancenot aims to mobilize the left against internal conflicts and towards a common goal of challenging the far-right threat and defending democratic principles.
In an effort to bridge the gaps between the various factions on the left, Besancenot and other progressive forces are working towards a collective response to the challenges facing French society. By combining efforts across different organizations and parties, they aim to present a united front against the far-right and defend the core values of democracy and social justice. The upcoming events planned by the unified framework, such as the joint statement and the festival of public freedoms, will serve as platforms for political and social mobilization, fostering solidarity and resistance against authoritarian and discriminatory practices that threaten the foundations of a free and just society.
