Called 'Stalinists' in Biarritz: LFI Activists Navigate Hostile Bourgeois Territory

In Biarritz, a Basque coastal town known for its aristocratic past and affluent modern population, activists from the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI) are navigating a challenging political landscape. Betty Lescaut, a 67-year-old retiree and LFI militant since 2017, who founded the local branch "Biarritz Actions Insoumises" in 2021, recounts the frequent hostility they encounter.

"The Biarritz market is not really our audience," Lescaut said, describing the reactions. "We are told to 'go back to Hugo Chávez,' called 'Stalinists,' or accused of wanting to 'ruin France.'" Despite these insults, she added, "It doesn't stop us from handing out leaflets; we work the ground here like elsewhere." The influx of wealthy Parisians during the COVID-19 lockdowns has further shifted the town's demographics, adding to the conservative leanings.

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We are told to 'go back to Hugo Chávez,' called 'Stalinists,' or accused of wanting to 'ruin France.'

LFI's local presence is a stark contrast to the town's established political DNA, which blends aristocratic history with a bourgeois modernity. Unlike larger French cities where younger, educated populations often align with working-class areas to drive political change, Biarritz presents a different social fabric. The party's activists are committed to engaging with the local population, even in what they perceive as hostile territory, aiming to build support in the lead-up to significant national elections.

Lescaut's dedication exemplifies the commitment of LFI militants in areas where the party is not traditionally strong. Their efforts in Biarritz highlight the complexities of political engagement in diverse communities, where activists must reconcile their political ideals with the realities of local sentiment and demographics. The article suggests this dedication is driven by strong motivations, often requiring rare compromises within the French political context.

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It doesn't stop us from handing out leaflets; we work the ground here like elsewhere.