Fabien Roussel face-to-face with his Nice supporters

This Wednesday, October 11 at the Palais des Expositions in Nice, Fabien Roussel, president of the PCF, engaged in a Q&A session with his supporters.

Beers, pissaladières, hugs, the atmosphere was meant to be very warm. On the first floor of the Palais des Expositions, the supporters of the PCF eagerly awaited their national secretary. Scheduled for 7 p.m., Fabien Roussel was punctual. His arrival was accompanied by a thunderous applause. The atmosphere, so warm, instantly made him take off his jacket. A supporter from the front row promptly noticed this detail: “As long as we don’t turn it inside out!” Fabien Roussel replied with a smile, “Yes, as long as we don’t turn it inside out, it’s fine!” After that, with a microphone in hand, he proudly greeted his electorate and announced wanting to “give hope back.” It must be said that the city of Nice is not truly of a red tradition. Nevertheless, over 400 people were there, on a weeknight, to welcome Fabien Roussel.

“Need to talk” was the trigger for this meeting. Fabien Roussel wanted to give the floor to his supporters. Therefore, the entire evening was animated by a Q&A session from the supporters to the national secretary. Without delay, the first question boldly touched on one of the most controversial topics, immigration. It was then a matter of purchasing power and work, themes dear to the party.

The audience was captivated and attentive. Questions poured in. Fabien Roussel, particularly sharp, managed to find the right words. His remarks were thus rhythmically punctuated by the approving applause of an attentive public.

From immigration to the student condition through Israel

The supporters exhibited a desire for answers to their everyday problems. The first speech addressed the issue of migration. To this, Fabien Roussel retorted: “We need a migration policy.” He repeated with determination, “Not always the same ones!” Fabien Roussel thus referred to the European Union countries refusing to accept migrants. He lamented the consequences of these policies for France but also for Italy. Finally, the national secretary of the PCF pointed out the shame of the “crime of solidarity,” “there cannot be any exploitation of an employee.” The audience, won over by these statements, strongly applauded.

The subsequent questions were about the public service, inflation, and recent events in the Middle East. Concerning the public service, Fabien Roussel expressed his deep support for a significant increase in the number of public servants. According to him, they are the ones who uphold “democratic equality.” This idea was warmly welcomed by the audience. With an annual inflation rate nearing 6%, Fabien Roussel could not overlook the current “high cost of living.” He quipped: “The pissaladière, it’s taken a hit around here!” More concretely, he employed the usual topoi of communist ideology. Fabien Roussel declared, “there is money,” “France has never been so rich.” According to his words, the problem is not wealth creation but redistribution. In response to a young man indignant about the student condition, Fabien Roussel announced the project of a student income. This income, with no means testing and fully funded by national solidarity, is one of the strong measures of the PCF’s program.

Finally, on the situation in the Middle East, while the left is divided due to the statements of some far-left parties, Fabien Roussel was particularly awaited. In his view, although there are ideological differences within the French left, the lack of a clear position is extremely serious. “It’s terror,” whispered a supporter in the audience. In this context, Fabien Roussel confided that the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, has invited party leaders to a meeting this Thursday, October 12. A presidential address is scheduled tonight from 8 p.m. to discuss the situation in Israel.

Calls for mobilization

This meeting was an opportunity for Fabien Roussel to announce upcoming mobilization dates. “We’ve won the ideological battle,” he declared, referencing the pension reform. The national secretary of the PCF does not shy away from awakening the contentious spirits: “Oh yes, the retirees, they’ve taken a hit!” Additionally, the politician reiterated his injunction to “invade the prefectures” with the goal of “stirring” the State. He maintains the necessity to mobilize in the streets but calls for peaceful mobilizations.

This Friday, October 13, the PCF is urging national mobilization to fight “against austerity, for wages and gender equality.” This strike day occurs three days before the conference on low wages. In Nice, Lignes d’Azur has not announced any disruptions on its tram lines. However, on lines 9, 34, 39, 43, 49, 51, 55, 72, 75, Cœur de Vence 1, 2, and 3, 75D, as well as specific lines P, R, V, W, no service is planned. Finally, in support of recent events in Israel and Palestine, the PCF is calling for a mobilization on Saturday, October 14 starting at 2:30 p.m. at Place Garibaldi.

“We have to talk to everyone, that’s the PCF, that’s class!” concluded Fabien Roussel. The current policy of the PCF is truly one of openness. Originally associated only with the working class party, Fabien Roussel now intends to address a much broader electorate. A discourse that obviously does not please everyone… Finally, this communist meeting ended, with fists raised, to the singing of The Internationale.