Adrien Quatennens announced this Sunday 16 June 2024 in Lille that he was withdrawing his candidacy. Faced with criticism aimed at La France insoumise (LFI) for having invested him in the legislative elections, Quatennens has decided to withdraw from the race

“I don’t want my candidacy to be used against La France insoumise and the New Popular Front, especially at this time when all our forces must be concentrated on defeating the far right and establishing a government that will meet the expectations of the French,” he said.

He added: “I know that this decision will disappoint many, but it will relieve even more. As a result, I am withdrawing my candidacy for the legislative elections on 30 June and 7 July.”

A political pretext

Adrien Quatennens, who is close to Jean-Luc Mélenchon, had been convicted in December 2022 of domestic violence, which raised objections to his new candidacy in the 1st constituency of the Nord.

“I am convinced that my situation is being used as a pretext for political manoeuvring. I have the right to think and say so. I would have preferred a fair confrontation via the ballot box,” he said. He also praised LFI for its values, such as rehabilitative justice and the possibility for individuals not to be defined solely by their mistakes. He acknowledged that he had “understood, reflected and learned”.

Yesterday, Amy Bah, a lawyer and activist with the feminist collective “Nous toutes”, announced on X her candidacy in the first constituency of the North, in opposition to Quatennens. “Remaining silent or inactive is no longer possible,” she declared.

A responsible decision

Shortly after the press conference, LFI hailed in a statement “her responsible decision, taken in agreement with the leadership of La France insoumise”.

“In a context of the fight against the far right, he has chosen not to become an obstacle to the momentum of the New Popular Front.” Aurélien Le Coq, national co-leader of the Young Insoumis, and Lahouaria Addouche, a social worker, have been invested to replace him.