Jean-Luc Mélenchon will not be a candidate for the legislative elections in Marseille, LFI invests Manuel Bompard – Archyde

Manuel Bompard in front of LFI headquarters in Paris on May 4, 2022. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP It’s a parachute drop coupled with a legacy. Manuel Bompard will be the candidate of the New Popular Ecological and Social Union (Nupes) in the 4th district of Bouches-du-Rhône, whose outgoing deputy was until then Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Speaking outdoors in front of several hundred people, Thursday, May 12, in front of his Marseille office, the leader of La France insoumise (LFI) put an end to the suspense surrounding his candidacy. In the middle of a speech where he declined what his policy would be as prime minister and criticized the “monarch” Macron, he announced that he was not running again and installed whoever was his campaign manager during the presidential. The 4th constituency of Bouches-du-Rhône, which includes working-class neighborhoods in downtown Marseille and extends over the first three arrondissements of the city and part of the 5th and 6th, is land acquired from the left. In the first round of the presidential election, Mr. Mélenchon won 54.4% of the vote. In 2017, in the midst of La République en Marche (LRM), he was elected in a duel against an LRM candidate with nearly 60% of the vote, then taking the seat of Socialist deputy Patrick Mennucci. Manuel Bompard, 36, MEP since 2019, had already come in recent months to make his mark in the Marseille constituency. On Sunday April 11, he accompanied his leader during his vote, before, a few days later, coming to debate with local activists. Continue his “role of national animation of LFI” Silent at the podium Thursday evening, like all of the Marseilles invested Nupes who surrounded Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the European deputy, native of Firminy (Loire), did not pronounce his first words as a candidate only a few minutes later, in the middle of the militants. “The “rebellious” here wanted this constituency to remain a stronghold of rebellious France at the national level. The people I spoke to think it’s a good idea and are quite happy with my presence here, ”explained Manuel Bompard, revealing that he had settled in the city for a few months, after leaving Toulouse. where he previously resided. Recalling the good scores obtained by Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the presidential election on the constituency, Manuel Bompard targeted the voters of rebellious France. “I will first address these voters, and tell them that if they repeat their vote, we can even be elected in the first round”, projected the new candidate, who says he wants to “build [sa] political career in Marseilles”. If he confirms that elected to the National Assembly, he will give up his function as MEP, Manuel Bompard nevertheless intends to “continue to play [son] role of national animation of France Insoumise”. A role that was central in the negotiations that led to the agreements to create Nupes. Read also: Article reserved for our Legislative 2022 subscribers: “After years of trial and error, Jean-Luc Mélenchon has found a role worthy of him” Gilles Rof (Marseille, correspondent)