Fabien Roussel, the national secretary of the French Communist Party (PCF), has openly criticized the influence of Jean-Luc Mélenchon on the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP), attributing his electoral defeat in the Nord constituency to this alliance.

Roussel, who lost to RN candidate Guillaume Florquin, believes that the NFP's strategy, which resonates in urban areas but alienates rural voters, was a key factor in his loss.

He has vowed not to align with Mélenchon's La France Insoumise (LFI) in future elections, citing a need to rethink leftist alliances to overcome electoral barriers.

Roussel's comments highlight ongoing tensions within the French left, as he calls for a reassessment of political strategies to better address diverse voter bases across France.