French Far-left Party Stands By Deputy Amid Allegations
The “La France insoumise” party continues to support its deputy Raphaël Arnault, co-founder of the extremist group “Jeune garde” and whose two parliamentary assistants have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the death of Quentin Deranque, a nationalist activist killed in Lyon. Calls for the deputy’s resignation are increasing on the right, while within the ranks of “La France insoumise,” some voices regret the continued support for the deputy.
Two parliamentary assistants and a former intern of LFI’s deputy Raphaël Arnault were arrested in connection with the death of Quentin Deranque, a young nationalist student killed in a clash with antifascists in Lyon.
Despite the pressure, “La France insoumise” stands firm behind its deputy, the co-founder of the violent antifa group in Lyon. “We are not the kind to abandon our own,” a close associate of Jean-Luc Mélenchon stated on RMC. Officially, Raphaël Arnault is still supported by the leadership of “La France insoumise.”
“We Didn’t Need Them to Fight the Far-right”
However, quietly, some are questioning this strategy and accusing their movement of inconsistency. The idea that by aligning with the founder of “Jeune garde” in 2024, the inevitable has happened: violence in politics.
“It was not adequately anticipated,” laments an early member of the party. Another executive adds, “It is obvious that it was a bad idea to ally with them. They bring us nothing; we didn’t need them to fight the far-right.” LFI remains entangled, on the defensive, and increasingly isolated.
The RN even calls for a sanitary cordon against them. And part of the left says no more alliances with the “insoumis.” In short: “It’s a nameless mess,” worries a deputy.
“All Parties Have Played with Violent Groups”
Meanwhile, Raphaël Arnault remains discreet and absent from the National Assembly before the parliamentary recess due to municipal elections. Some voices on the set of “Les Grandes Gueules” believe that the deputy should resign if LFI refuses to let go. “He’s hiding because he’s ashamed, and the only option for him is resignation,” says Antoine Diers, a former advisor to Eric Zemmour.
“Raphaël Arnault himself was convicted of group violence in 2022 for assaulting someone in the name of his political ideas,” he continues. “And he is still a deputy because our texts do not provide for an elected official to be stripped of his mandate. Beyond Raphaël Arnault, all of LFI is concerned because Jean-Luc Mélenchon had kind words for ‘Jeune garde,'” he insists.
“They Give the Impression of Only Communicating with Their Militant Base”
On the other hand, educator Abel Boyi believes that “La France Insoumise” needs to reassure the French: “They give the impression of only communicating with their militant base. They aspire to the presidential function; they need to open up to all French people. Jean-Luc Mélenchon must make an official statement, and Raphaël Arnault must reconsider his position in the National Assembly,” he emphasizes.
But according to him, the issue should also broaden to all political violence: “I would like to denounce the hypocrisy of the issue. There is an extreme violence among young people in political ideology. From 1986 to 2001, there were 53 deaths due to political ideology, 48 due to the far-right, and 5 due to the far-left. All parties have played with violent groups for decades, including the FN and now the RN with the Gud,” he concludes.
Authors:
Cyprien Pézeril with Guillaume Dussourt
