In 2009, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the Left Front presidential candidate, distinguished between ‘two lefts’, arguing that the values and objectives of l'Autre gauche - a left which supports radical social transformations, and the Socialist left - which allegedly has given up on reforming capitalism - were irreconcilable. According to that interpretation, the left family in France would be permanently split.
For the French left, political unity was always a major objective. The different parties of the left have always believed that they shared a common heritage. One year into the Hollande presidency, entrenched opposition if not hostility between the PS and the radical left represent a sea change.
At the 2012 presidential election, the radical left reversed a trend of continuous decline. François Hollande's relatively modest victory against Nicolas Sarkozy was arguably secured by the Left Front voters. Furthermore, for the first time since 1981, the Communist party has opted to oppose the Socialist government from the beginning of its term in office.
This paper looks at the Hollande presidency from the perspective of the Left Front, a cartel which gathers together nine parties. It aims to point out what are the major points of tension and disagreements between the main forces of the left. It also discusses what are the political implications of this new situation for the French left. (party politics, electoral competition, coalition formation)
