With one week to go before the first round of municipal elections, the Socialist Party is intensifying its criticism of La France Insoumise and its leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The objective is clear: to prevent, as far as possible, the La France Insoumise lists from reaching the second round and to avoid having to negotiate local alliances that could weaken the Socialist candidates.
In an interview with Le ParisienThe Socialist Party's first secretary, Olivier Faure, denounced Jean-Luc Mélenchon's political line, arguing that it "undermines the cause" of the left. He also asserted that some recent statements had sown discord even within the ranks of La France Insoumise (LFI). The Socialist leader, however, was careful to distinguish LFI voters from their leader, urging them to support the Socialist lists.
Preventing LFI from remaining in the second round
The Socialist Party's strategy includes reducing the number of votes for La France Insoumise (LFI) lists below the 10% threshold required to advance to the second round. By calling for a "strategic vote" in the first round, some Socialist leaders hope to avoid having to form alliances with LFI in cities where the left has a chance of winning.
This position remains delicate, however. The Socialists must attract the most radical left-wing voters while avoiding losing those on the center-left, who might turn away from a list associated with La France Insoumise. Socialist MP Jérôme Guedj has thus argued that left-wing voters should support Socialist candidates not affiliated with La France Insoumise from the first round.
Fragile local balances
In several major cities, the balance of power makes the situation particularly delicate. In Paris, the Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire would be able to defeat the LR candidate Rachida Dati in most scenarios, except in a three-way race with the La France Insoumise candidate Sophia Chikirou.
In Marseille, the incumbent mayor, Benoît Payan, supported by the Socialist Party, is neck and neck with the National Rally. His situation could become critical if the La France Insoumise candidate, Sébastien Delogu, credited with around 14%, remains in the race for the second round.
The alliance debate
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, for his part, advocated a "technical merger" between left-wing lists in the second round to form an "anti-fascist front." According to La France Insoumise (LFI), this merger would not necessarily mean joint governance of municipalities in the event of a victory.
But this option is rejected by several socialist figures. Former president François Hollande has warned against any "compromise" with La France Insoumise, believing that such an alliance could alienate part of the left-wing electorate and have a lasting impact on the political balance, particularly with regard to the 2027 presidential election.
Beyond Paris and Marseille, the situation remains uncertain in several key cities such as Nantes, Amiens, Limoges, and Toulouse, where the balance of power could depend on whether or not La France Insoumise lists remain in the second round. Olivier Faure is scheduled to visit these cities during the final week of the campaign to support the Socialist candidates.
