"It's frowned upon to come to our place": LFI's political return shunned by ministers

It's a tradition on the left: the parties are returning this week. Starting Thursday, August 21, for the Greens, the Communists, and the Insoumis. It will be the following week for the Socialists. In recent years, the Insoumis have made a habit of inviting members of the government to debate, but this year, however, there are no ministers in sight.

And yet, invitations were indeed sent. According to our information, Economy Minister Éric Lombard received his invitation for a debate with Éric Coquerel, the LFI chairman of the Finance Committee. But he declined.

Why come to the rebels' base camp when they "stifle all discussions" in the Assembly, explains an advisor to the minister. The Bercy tenant, who, according to our information, will instead be visiting the Communists at the Fête de l'Humanité in mid-September.

For Jean-Luc Mélenchon 's friends, the days when Rachida Dati , Marlène Schiappa, and other members of the government would perform in front of their supporters are in any case long gone.

From now on, "it's frowned upon to come to our house," admits an LFI MP, keen not to appear unsociable. "There's a before and after October 7. They're more controversial than before," justifies a Macron supporter, who was approached this year and also refused to come.

But La France Insoumise has a plan B: to invite members of parliament from the central bloc, with whom they share common cause on very specific issues. Violette Spillebout is at the forefront of the Bétharram case, and Sandrine Josso, a victim of chemical subjugation.

"It lacks panache," whispers one rebel. Unless the solution involves inviting media faces, like Charles Consigny, voice of RMC's Grandes Gueules , who will debate on Friday, August 22, with Manuel Bompard .