Jean-Luc Mélenchon stressed on Sunday that he was preparing "
rather for the idea of being prime minister than for the idea of being a new deputy
", assuring that he was going to succeed in getting along with the president. Emmanuel Macron if he ever entered Matignon and forced cohabitation.
Read alsoLegislative 2022: from the docks of Aubervilliers, Jean-Luc Mélenchon launches the campaign for the union of the left
“
The probability of having a majority seems to be improving for me, so I am preparing myself more for the idea of being prime minister than for the idea of being a new deputy
”, declared, on France Inter / franceinfo / Le Monde, the leader of the New Popular Ecological and Social Union (Nupes).
In recent days, the 70-year-old rebellious leader had said that he would probably not be a candidate for a new mandate as a deputy in the legislative elections of June 12 and 19 where the left will present themselves united under the banner led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, with its 22% in the first round of the presidential election.
"7,700,000 votes in the presidential election, that doesn't make me a passer-by in the street"
"
The last Prime Minister of the Fourth Republic was not a deputy, it was General De Gaulle, and the current Prime Minister, Mr. Castex, was not a deputy
either" when he was appointed to Matignon in 2020, added Jean-Luc Mélenchon who claims a "
certain legitimacy
".
Jean Castex “
was elected in Prades with 1,800 votes, that gives him legitimacy in Prades.
But me, I estimate that 7,700,000 votes in the presidential election, that doesn't make me a passer-by in the street.
I have a certain legitimacy to be at the front in the ranks of the New Popular Ecological and Social Union
,” he said.
Asked how he would cohabit with Emmanuel Macron, his political rival, he insisted that "
the policy that will apply is that of the last elected, in this case us
".
"
But at the same time, he added, the Constitution creates common segments
", especially in the field of Defense and Foreign Affairs.
"
So let's say things on this subject, quickly and well and loudly: we will get along because it is in the interest of the country
", he assured.
Read alsoLegislative 2022: how Mélenchon made the left bend
Including on the war in Ukraine when Jean-Luc Mélenchon was criticized for his positions considered pro-Russian in the past, his non-alignment and his wish to leave the integrated command of NATO.
“
We are facing a war of aggression unleashed by Mr. Putin's government against Ukraine with acts of utter barbarism that are now accompanied by nuclear threats.
I tell you, in these areas, France will speak with one voice
,” he insisted.
