Jean-Luc Mélenchon is in Perpignan for a meeting this Sunday, March 1st, following Jordan Bardella’s rally. Bardella did not mince words about his future opponent in the 2027 presidential election.
It’s been a weekend of political back-and-forth. The leader of La France Insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, is holding a meeting this Sunday, March 1st in the afternoon, in Perpignan, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales. The day before, it was the president of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, who was in the largest city in France governed by the lepenist party.
Both are officially supporting their candidates for the municipal elections, just two weeks away. But in reality, it’s a duel unfolding between them. One of the possible scenarios for the second round of the 2027 presidential election.
“Vous en êtes la honte!” (You are a disgrace!) –
In front of his supporters on Saturday, February 28th, the leader of the National Rally singled out and attacked Jean-Luc Mélenchon. He also called on other left-wing parties to break ties with La France Insoumise.
A power outage and Jordan Bardella in the dark: “we will continue by candlelight.” He came to launch his arrows against Jean-Luc Mélenchon resolutely, two weeks after the death of Quentin Deranque on February 14th. “This tragedy is the result of a climate of violence methodically constructed and instilled in the country by Mr. Mélenchon and his friends,” he asserted on stage, in front of 3,000 people.
“‘To Jean-Luc Mélenchon who claimed to embody the Republic, we answer: ‘You are not the Republic, you are disgraceful!'” he shouted out in Perpignan.
“Maintaining a climate of tension” –
Jordan Bardella aims to show responsibility and contrast with the left, urging them to break ties with La France Insoumise. Jean-Luc Mélenchon is viewed as the devil incarnate by these Nationalist militants. “Whatever he says, he doesn’t love France,” claimed one attendee at the meeting.
In the room, there’s also Ewen, who describes himself as neither left nor right. He will also attend Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s meeting on Sunday afternoon. He expressed disappointment in the spectacle of extremes: “There’s a kind of show that saddens me a bit.”
“The two extremes will play, and it contributes to maintaining a climate of tension and violence,” Ewen acknowledged.
La France Insoumise essentially said they won’t back down. The meeting on Sunday, March 1st will be an “antifascist response.” In Perpignan, Louis Aliot is the frontrunner but may have to resign a few months later if the court declares him ineligible in the case of RN parliamentary assistants.
By Cyprien Pézeril with Solenn Guillanton.
