Adrien Quatennens no longer strums his guitar, no longer hits his drums!
Blame it on the Covid and above all on an overloaded schedule.
Since November 8 and the official announcement by Jean-Luc Mélenchon of his third presidential candidacy, the deputy of the North, crazy about rock, has, in fact, become one of the centerpieces of the campaign of the leader of the Insoumis .
A long campaign during which "the red head of my comrade Quatennens", as Mélenchon likes to call it, will wear several caps.
Proof of the confidence that the boss of La France Insoumise (LFI), 70, places in this thirty-something who, he recognizes with force, has with the leader, a "special relationship", that of a "kid from zero part, and who at 27 was elected deputy, thanks to the meeting, ten years earlier, with Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
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"It is someone who has the flame"
With his “generalist” profile and his remarkable ease on television sets, Quatennens, already coordinator of France Insoumise, could also be one of the spokespersons for the campaign with the LFI parliamentarians most present in the media. like Eric Coquerel, Alexis Corbière and Clémentine Autain.
“There is no number 2 at LFI, specifies Eric Coquerel.
But Adrien's role is important and he learns very quickly.
"" Under a calm, even cold exterior, Adrien is someone who has the flame, greets Clémence Guetté, responsible for the program.
His great ability to mobilize troops will help put the machine in motion.
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A machine which, this time again, will have its unique “touch”.
After that of 2017, spectacular (giant meetings), innovative (the famous holograms) and breakthrough (Mélenchon the populist), the campaign that is opening will be placed under the seal of "construction", insists Quatennens.
Hence the slogan "We are for" that he and other rebels imagined during a brainstorming with Mélenchon and Manuel Bompard, the MEP, who could again lead the campaign.
"We want to build a membership majority", explains the deputy from the North who actively participates in some of the discussions initiated with left-wing personalities such as Arnaud Montebourg, Benoît Hamon, the environmentalist mayor of Grenoble Eric Piolle or elected communist officials ...
But it is above all to the popularity of the "boss" that Quatennens, more than the other rebels with a more autonomous political course, will have to tackle.
Even if, the only candidate on the left already declared, Jean-Luc Mélenchon remains at the top of the favorites in his camp, the task promises to be difficult.
“What has become of those who cried out against Jean-Luc's authoritarianism and who left the movement?
rebels the young elected.
You have to come on Tuesday morning, to the meeting of our group in the National Assembly, to realize that all discussions are open and that there is no leader who decides everything.
It is very peaceful.
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"He will have to cut the cord with Mélenchon"
The proof is that “after Mélenchon”, the leader of the Insoumis is already thinking about it.
And in this future which approaches, Quatennens is essential.
Obviously.
“Adrien embodies one of the hopes of LFI and he will have a role to play in the future,” recognizes Eric Coquerel.
“He will have to cut the cord with Mélenchon, moderates a former rebel.
He could bring to life a more republican line of defense of secularism, values that he has anchored to the body.
"" I don't feel I need to distinguish myself from the boss.
I believe in loyalty and loyalty in politics ”, assures Quatennens.
And this father of a young girl adds: “Yes I have an almost filial relationship with Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
But I'm not sure you have to kill the father to grow up.
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For the time being, Quatennens wants to put “all his energy” to a victory for Mélenchon in 2022. “But if we lose, I will do everything, along with all the others, so that the current that we represent does not disappear.
And maybe build a new object, even bigger than LFI.
Because if Mélenchon loses, that won't mean he was wrong.
"Between two group meetings and two videoconferences, between two trips between Lille and Paris, Quatennens, will start writing a book," a personal work on Jean Luc "and their common struggles which will perhaps come out before the presidential.
“It will be, confides us the elected northerner, the story of my Mélenchon to me.
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