Presidential election 2027: The French Communist Party (PCF) removes from its governing bodies the MPs who support Mélenchon rather than Roussel

The rift within the Communist Party is now complete. Meeting on Saturday, November 7, the National Council of the French Communist Party (PCF) decided to draw the necessary conclusions from the support given by several of its parliamentarians to Jean-Luc Mélenchon for the 2027 presidential election. In an official statement, the PCF leadership asserts that any member choosing to support a candidate other than Fabien Roussel automatically places themselves "outside the party and its governing bodies." Those concerned will therefore no longer be able to participate in the work of the Communist Party's governing bodies or speak on behalf of the party during the campaign. This firm response comes two days after the announcement that nine of the seventeen members of the Democratic and Republican Left group had joined forces with the La France Insoumise candidate.

Among the parliamentarians involved are Stéphane Peu, president of the GDR group in the National Assembly, as well as Elsa Faucillon and Soumya Bourouaha. On Thursday, nine deputies, including four Communists and five representatives from France's overseas territories, announced their intention to support Jean-Luc Mélenchon rather than Fabien Roussel. Stéphane Peu presented his decision as a "conscientious objection," arguing that the political situation necessitated closer ties with La France Insoumise . This decision was all the more sensitive given that PCF members had designated Fabien Roussel as their candidate on September 6, with 72% of the votes cast.

Stéphane Peu refuses to resign from the presidency of the parliamentary group

The National Council is invoking the party statutes, which recognize the right to defend dissenting opinions while requiring respect for majority decisions. The leadership believes that public support for a rival candidate is incompatible with holding responsibilities within the French Communist Party (PCF) during the campaign. Stéphane Peu, however, does not intend to relinquish the presidency of the Democratic and Republican Left group, a parliamentary position that does not fall directly under the party's authority. He confirmed to LCP his intention to continue leading this group, which brings together Communist and overseas deputies.

This decision exacerbates tensions surrounding Fabien Roussel's candidacy. The national secretary retains his party's endorsement but must now contend with several communist elected officials who will campaign for his rival from La France Insoumise. Within La France Insoumise, these endorsements are presented as a step towards uniting the radical left. Within the PCF, they are seen as a challenge to the members' vote.