Jean-Luc Mélenchon Triumphs at Sciences-Po Paris – A Look at the Double Standard in Political Meetings

Jean-Luc Mélenchon spoke on Monday evening at Sciences-Po Paris. What is terrible, that he was not able to express himself at the University of Lille or that he was able to express himself at Sciences-Po Paris?

What is shocking is the double standard which, for now, does not surprise the least in the world. Irregular. When you believe in freedom of thought and freedom of expression, it is never good to ban a political meeting. We find some of the speeches by Jean-Luc Mélenchon completely flawed, even rude, when he plays on the confusion between criticism of Israel, anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. However, fighting is not forbidden.

But the Insoumis activists would be more credible in their anger if they were not the first, especially in universities, to intimidate or ban those who want to think differently from them. We didn’t hear them when it was Eric Zemmour who was banned a few days before from speaking in Brussels. And it was they who prevented the researcher Florence Bergeaux-Blackart or the philosopher Sylviane Agacinski from expressing themselves in universities, who had the misfortune of denying Islamism or wake up. Mélenchon who was banned in Lille was censored.

Mélenchon in a conquered country at Sciences po Paris

Anyway, at Sciences Po Paris, Mélenchon was very successful. And for good reason. You remember the old Lepéniste meetings where the activists sang: “we are at home” ? a slogan that influenced the rejection of others. THERE ARE Sciences Po Paris, as in many French universities, it is the Mélenchonists who could sing “we are at home” ; in the sense of: we think the same and other people have no right to citizenship.

Defending the Palestinian cause with his own words, yes, Mélenchon is in a country conquered among youth for whom politics is synonymous with radicalism and rejection.

Moreover, a very symbolic coincidence: Jean-Luc Mélenchon spoke in the amphitheater of Boutmy, the same amphitheater that was requested, almost more than a month ago, with students – undoubtedly the same as those who suggested Monday – who refused to have access to a student. “guilty” who belongs to the Union of Jewish Students of France.

That Mélenchonist stake is the radicalization of young people

Note that in his passing the same lecture hall was used to hold a political meeting where, theoretically, knowledge is taught. Shouldn’t, even at Sciences Po, there be a finer line between teaching and activity?

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This strategy is measured and adopted. It is true for this European, the Glucksmann list precedes the LFI list on the left. But look in detail, among young people, it is clear that his achievements are better. That Mélenchonist bet is radicalism; radicalization of young people, radicalization of the suburbs. So that earns them political criticism and sometimes a bit of opprobrium in the media. But the Insoumis are sure, in the medium term, that they will reap the electoral benefits of this strategy.

Guillaume Tabard