The organizers of the Popular Primary, a citizens’ initiative which was supposed to allow the union on the left, presented their “apologies” on Wednesday, after their decision, much criticized, to support the rebellious candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and mark the end of this movement. After having chosen to support Christiane Taubira, during a vote of 392,000 voters, the citizens’ movement had to take note of its withdrawal, for lack of sufficient sponsorship, and announced on March 5 in a press release that it was going to “support and campaign” for the “Popular Union” of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who had however violently rejected this citizens’ initiative.
A movement at the origin of “as much enthusiasm as anger”
“Today, we would like to apologize to you”, explain the organizers, who recognize that this decision to support the rebellious candidate “has generated as much enthusiasm as anger, understanding as mistrust, thanks as hatred. “.
They underline that their initial wish, to “gather our forces to allow a candidacy which defends an ecological, social and democratic project to win the presidential election”, came up against the refusal of the parties. “The political parties are responsible for it. We should have acted on it, denounced those responsible”, explain the organizers. They explain that they decided a week ago to “try everything for everything” by supporting the candidacy of Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
“New consultation too long and expensive”
“To those who felt betrayed by this decision”, they specify that they have given up “a new consultation that is too long and costly to implement a month before the election”, but recognize that they should have “acted the end of the popular Primary and speak more visibly in our own name”.
Finally, in the face of criticism concerning the choice to support the one who had come in 3rd place in the vote of the popular primary, behind Christiane Taubira and the ecologist Yannick Jadot, they underline that “the Primary is over”. “It is now a question of betting on the candidate most likely to reach the second round”, they insist, specifying that their movement is now called “Popular Victories”.
“This decision does not in any way commit the partners, funders and supporters of the first hours of the Popular Primary”, they affirm, also ensuring that the funds collected for the primary “have been spent for this sole purpose”.