[Solidarity 242 discussed] the impact the rise of the Front de gauche and Jean-Luc Melenchonâs electoral campaign has had on the French far-left.
[Martin Thomas writes] âLook at what has happened to the previous (smaller) minority which quit the NPA in 2009, the Gauche Unitaire led by Christian Picquet. Picquet now chairs MĂ©lenchonâs campaign staff. The GU are not intervening in the MĂ©lenchon campaign to advance revolutionary socialist politics. The MĂ©lenchon campaign has âintervenedâ in and absorbed them.â
This âhas led to junking the âoldâ programme, and replacing it by no programme at all, beyond a vocal and militant tone on âleftâ causes as defined by broad public opinion, rather than by a carefully-analysed revision in light of new conditions.â
Now Martin Thomas is careful in weighing his words, but others are no doubt much less inclined.
We know what this means: liquidation of the programme! Capitulation to Stalinism! Pabloism!
In reality the Gauche Unitaire has undergone an evolution followed by important sections of the European far-left, democratic socialists, and parts of the remaining Communist Parties.
This is towards a deeply democratic social republicanism â the political vehicle of a renewed socialist programme.
The Gauche Unitaire has no programme? Read the magnificent Front de gaucheâs âLâHumain dâabordâ. It is one of the most advanced programmes on the European left.
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