Following the second round of the 2026 municipal elections on March 22, socialists blame Jean-Luc Mélenchon and La France insoumise (LFI) for losses in several strongholds taken by the right. PS leader Olivier Faure calls Mélenchon the 'ballast of the left' as LFI claims breakthroughs.
The day after the second round of the 2026 municipal elections, France’s left is gripped by infighting. Parti socialiste (PS) leader Olivier Faure accuses Jean-Luc Mélenchon of being the 'ballast of the left.' 'Jean-Luc Mélenchon has become the ballast of the left today,' Faure said on BFMTV/RMC, citing losses in Limoges, Toulouse, Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme), and Brest (Finistère)—strongholds lost to the right after local alliances with La France insoumise (LFI) between rounds. 'LFI made us lose,' says PS deputy Boris Vallaud, lamenting a 'lack of clarity and sincerity' from PS and urging no more alliances with LFI. Former president François Hollande criticizes: 'Not conceivable for socialists to back La France insoumise in Toulouse and Limoges' and calls for a 'reformist left candidacy' in 2027. LFI claims wins in Saint-Denis (Bally Bagayoko), Roubaix (David Guiraud), and three Lyon suburbs (Vaulx-en-Velin, Vénissieux, Saint-Fons). Manuel Bompard hails a 'historic breakthrough': 'Eighteen times more inhabitants will live tomorrow in a commune led by La France insoumise.' Mathilde Panot speaks of an 'electoral breakthrough' despite 'unprecedented attacks.' PS members challenge Faure internally for backing fusions, demanding clarity. PS wins without LFI in Paris (Emmanuel Grégoire 50.52%) and Marseille (Benoît Payan 54.34%) are cited as proof of a 'premium for clarity.'