In the municipal elections of 2020, it was a platform bringing together Europe Ecologie-Les Verts (EELV), Public Square, the French Communist Party and people from civil society and the associative world which had carried the ecologist Jeanne Barseghian at the town hall of Strasbourg. La France insousmise (LFI), associated with Génération.s, had not passed the 3% mark at the time. The Socialist Party, on the strength of the honorable result achieved by Catherine Trautmann, had meanwhile proposed an alliance to EELV, effectively integrating its political group into the municipal majority.
But this agreement exploded at the end of 2021, when the mayor withdrew her delegation to her socialist deputy Céline Geissmann. EELV then blamed the PS for supporting “variable geometry”, the Socialists not having voted the original budget of the city. More recently, it was the elected Communists, hitherto integrated into the majority, who decided to form an independent political group within the municipal council, and to join the ranks of those not registered in the metropolis.
Dissensions that LFI, which is not present in either of the two assemblies, looks with a certain haughtiness. “What is happening in Strasbourg is quite interesting. Before the first round of the presidential election, we were a bit left out. This time, we are much more accepted than usual. There are discussions, both at the national level and at the local level, which was not the case five years ago”notes Sébastien Mas, leader of the “rebellious” in the 3e constituency of Bas-Rhin.
“The perimeter is complicated”
Are these discussions for the legislative elections likely to succeed? Michael Kugler, EELV secretary for Alsace, wants to believe it. The Strasbourg area is certainly not in favor of an agreement with the PS or the PCF, but a large part of the negotiations is done with LFI. “They are not elected to the municipal council of Strasbourg, which makes things easiernote Michael Kugler. The realization of a united front will depend on the nomination of consensual candidates, people who will win the support of all activists.. Even if it means choosing, in particular in Strasbourg, candidates who have no connection with local political life. Mentioned at the start of the year, the “parachuting” in the Alsatian capital of the number two of EELV, Sandra Regol, is thus part of the possible scenarios.
A perspective that tenses socialist leaders, in addition to the ” Red line “ what constitutes LFI’s desire not to apply certain European directives. Thierry Sother, first socialist secretary in the Bas-Rhin, also admits not having voted for the resolution of the boss of the PS, Olivier Faure, who advocates the opening of discussions with LFI. “The ambition and the will of a left front is there, but the perimeter is complicated”he acknowledges.
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