Socialist parliamentary group leader Boris Vallaud and the 24 members of his faction announced on Friday their departure from the Socialist Party leadership, further isolating first secretary Olivier Faure.
Tensions had been simmering for months between Vallaud and Faure, particularly over strategy for the 2027 presidential election. Vallaud, who placed third at the PS congress a year ago, had supported Faure against Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol. He now opposes the left-wing primary advocated by the first secretary.
In a five-page letter sent to Faure and obtained by AFP, senator Alexandre Ouizille denounced a « collégialité bâclée » and a « brutalisation du fonctionnement » of the party bodies. He accuses Faure of deciding alone and sidelining his partners.
The PS leadership replied that nothing would divert it from building a credible rallying solution capable of winning in 2027. Jean-Luc Mélenchon mocked the new division inside the party on LCI.