The unequivocal result of the last national consultation along with the scores achieved by the PS (Socialist Party) and UDF (Union for French Democracy) in the first round by their representatives, Ségolène Royal and François Bayrou, might suggest – considering the latter’s intention to create a new movement called the Democratic Party – the usefulness of contemplating the possibility of establishing a Social Democratic Party. This could be the only solution for forming a real opposition to the blue wave that overwhelmed France last Sunday.
Certainly, many centrist deputies have opted for a reasoned alignment with the former President of the UMP who has since become the President of the French Republic. However, there remains the electorate who trusted François Bayrou, and who will also have to choose their side. The divisions among the elephantine leaders of the Socialist Party leave the second national party between doubts and disappointments. And Ségolène Royal might well see in Bayrou a useful ally against the undisguised charges of a lurking DSK and a ready-to-pounce Fabius.
François Hollande has warned against internal reckonings already well underway on the presidential television sets. An exceptional meeting of the National Office was held at the end of the day to determine the foundations of the campaign for the upcoming legislative elections.
The time for an assessment has therefore come at the Socialist Party, and it will take a lot of courage to separate the assets from the liabilities, as well as to cushion the standstill that risk becoming entrenched within the party in the event of an internal war. Indeed, a very difficult accounting to finalize!
