Ségolène Royal is expected to make a crucial presentation next Sunday. She is set to present the new major campaign directions to the Socialist Party (PS) delegates. There is a growing sense of impatience within the party, including from its First Secretary, François Hollande.
There is no immediate danger. Despite a series of poor polls and the offensive from the Sarkozy camp, Ségolène is still standing strong. This is the message that was relayed throughout the weekend by the senior figures of the Socialist Party, particularly through her partner. Jack Lang, meanwhile, acted as Madame Royal’s envoy in Algeria, meeting President Bouteflika on Sunday afternoon. The Socialist candidate, in a letter delivered to the Algerian president through the former mayor of Blois, describes colonization as “a system of domination, dispossession, and humiliation.” She believes it is crucial that Paris and Algiers take into account their shared history.
At the same time, Dominique Voynet has called for an ecological revolution. She has specifically asked the PS for “clarification” regarding the Socialists’ vague position on ecological issues. The relationship between the “greens” and socialists is not currently in a good state. She also took aim at José Bové, accusing him of further weakening the Left of the Left. The Green deputy was clearly annoyed by this new candidacy which she feels adds nothing more.
François Bayrou is still riding high. Indeed, his popularity continues to rise with each poll. The leader of the UDF once again criticizes the media, accusing it of playing into the hands of Sarko/Ségo. He reiterated this strongly on Franz-Olivier Giesbert’s show on France 5 on Sunday.
Jean-Marie Le Pen, a potential third candidate, was on Europe 1. Even though polls place him in fourth position behind the centrist candidate, the leader of the National Front remains convinced that the race will be a close one. “I estimate that I am beyond 20% of the votes and therefore I feel like I’m in the leading pack,” he declared on The Big Meeting.
The libertarian liberals held their congress on Sunday at the Bataclan. They want to make the most of the presidential election to gain more visibility. Their program can be summed up in one word: freedom. Freedom to manage especially. A political message that they fully embrace. These liberals can count on the support of a comeback: Alain Madelin. The former symbol of liberalism in France has indeed supported the young candidate of the Liberal Alternative, Edouard Fillias. Alain Madelin is particularly harsh on this start of the presidential campaign: “This campaign seems particularly dismal to me. I have the impression that we are seeing a great return to dirigiste and protectionist decisions in our country.”
Nicolas Sarkozy has been discreet on his part, preferring to let the socialists campaign. The only slight shadow on the tableau is the disagreement with the Minister of National Education. During a meeting on Friday night, the UMP candidate attempted to appeal to the teaching body (presumed to be Left-leaning). He then declared that “the national education system is bankrupt.” Gilles de Robien retorted that he did not accept these comments from the Minister of the Interior, finding them “unfair, very poorly inspired and clumsy towards the work of the teachers.”
