For Olivier Faure, it’s a relief. The first secretary came out on top in the first round of the Socialist Party Congress, where he is playing for re-election for the next three years. The deputy of Seine-et-Marne, holder of the post since 2018, obtained around 50% of the votes at the end of the ballot, according to results communicated by the socialist party at 11:30 p.m.
Behind him, Nicolas Mayer Rossignol is credited with 30.5% of the vote, and Hélène Geoffroy with 19%. These figures come from the counting of 14,000 ballots. Supposed to be representative of the final trend, they are however disputed by the teams of Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, who grants the first secretary 47.88% of the votes, 31.5% to the mayor of Rouen and 21% to Hélène Geoffroy. Final results, communicated on Friday, should say whether Olivier Faure is in the majority or not.
On January 19, he will face Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol for a new vote, the activists being called upon to decide between the two candidates who came out on top. “Thank you to the thousands of socialist activists who have chosen to place me very largely in the leadtweeted Olivier Faure. The strategic debate has been settled”he continued, referring to the agreement of the New Popular Ecological and Social Union (Nupes), which enabled the party to survive the crushing defeat of Anne Hidalgo in the presidential election but which was also a source great frustrations in some federations.
This confusion around the figures allowed the mayor of Rouen, who left for the campaign last September, to congratulate himself on a “nice dynamic”. “Tonight is surprise and hope”, he wants to believe. While showing off « prudent »he asserts that his “significant” score is likely to allow him to “win next thursday”. How ? By attracting some of the approximately 50% of abstainers, who did not move in the first round, according to Lamia El Aaraje, assistant to Anne Hidalgo who campaigned with him. And the latter to ensure that it is a ” new election ».
Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol maintains the blur on the Nupes
However, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol has not decided to ask Hélène Geoffroy for her support. He prefers ” to assemble “ all socialists, pro and anti-Nupes. It must be said that the mayor of Rouen maintains the vagueness on the attitude to have vis-a-vis the alliance on the left, whereas Hélène Geoffroy had promised to leave if she was elected. The latter could on the other hand call to vote for him, his supporters dreaming of changing first secretary whatever happens.
For those close to Olivier Faure, a victory for Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol seems highly improbable. Some point out that a bonus always benefits the outgoing candidate. Others insist that “all the great local barons”, who supported Nicolas Mayer Rossignol were outvoted in their federation. In the forefront of which Anne Hidalgo (in Paris, the motion carried by Nicolas Mayer Rossignol obtained only 48%), the deputy of Occitanie, Carole Delga, and the deputy of Tarn-et-Garonne, Valérie Rabault.