The Socialist General Assembly, initiated by the First Secretary of the PS, Jean-Christophe Cambadélis, at the summer university in La Rochelle at the end of August, is expected to lead to the drafting of a charter outlining the identity of socialists. Socialist activists and personalities, as well as sections, were invited to express themselves on twelve economic or societal themes.
In the Alpes-Maritimes, after a process of internal debates resulted in more than 60 contributions, a meeting was held to present the synthesis documents.
In the presence of a handful of leaders (and yes, there was not much enthusiasm and even some elected officials were not present, such as the only local national elected official, Senator Marc Daunis!), everyone repeated their litany showing that some electoral results are not just the result of government policy.
Moreover, when the party leaders are the first to challenge it, how can one criticize voters who abstain or vote for other lists?
On this occasion as well, the two lines of the party clashed: While for Xavier Garcia (president of the Steering Committee 06 and supporter along with departmental secretary Patrcik Allemand of the governmental line) “the reaffirmation of certain values requires innovative proposals capable of rendering our principles operative again,” Arnaud Delcasse (Left of the party) advocates “the social state at the heart of the socialist project, ensuring a policy of social justice.” Ultimately, David Nakache (local representative of Arnaud Montenbourg) states a return to the proposals that allowed François Hollande to be elected and which today are on the verge of being betrayed.
How can such different approaches be reconciled and a clear political line presented to the electorate?
The task is not easy, and it is also made complex by the upcoming electoral deadlines which will have repercussions on the roles of each in the party and in the institutions. Hence the various positions…
As for current affairs, the Azuréen Socialist Party is certainly not at its best and there is, quite evidently, a need for fresh blood to take over.
Sure, when we hear the delegate of the Young Socialists asking for the workweek to be reduced to 32 hours and for a 6th week of vacation… One is left wondering what world he lives in… Does he know that Europe represents 7% of the population, 22% of the global GDP, and 50% of welfare expenditures?
How to get out of such a dead end? As Socrates said, “the path is steep.”
