Today he is one of the opposition figures.
But, more or less, he could have been counted among the leaders of the majority.
The current boss of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure, has indeed admitted that he almost joined Emmanuel Macron's campaign in 2016. “
I must say that yes, I hesitated.
I hesitated at the start,
”said the deputy for Seine-et-Marne, at the microphone of France Inter /
Le Monde
/ France Info this Sunday.
"
When he started his campaign, in November-December, I had a discussion with him, and I asked him who he was,
" continued the elected Ile-de-France.
“
I knew him because he had been François Hollande's minister, but (...)
I did not quite understand who he was, and I wanted to know where he was going
.
As a result of this discussion, my doubts deepened, and so I decided that I would not support him,
”he added.
"A grand coalition which takes into account the very composite electorate" of the second round
Despite this exchange, which had remained secret until now, Olivier Faure affirms that "
no
"
his possible rallying "has not been played out at times
."
“
I had more doubts when I left this conversation than when I entered it,
” he says.
Without regret ?
“
The direction taken by this government - first Édouard Philippe, then Jean Castex ... I do not recognize myself at all in what they do.
Since the first months, I have been very far from what they think
”.
However, after having called to vote “
against
” the FN in the second round, Olivier Faure had “
wondered, at that time, if there was not yet something to play
”.
"
Was it not in our interest to say, the day after the presidential election, that we perhaps needed a grand coalition that takes into account the very composite electorate (...) (come) to hinder Marine Le Pen?
The appointment of a right-wing prime minister quickly provided an answer.