Liam Flenady: France: 'Nuit debout' movement shakes politics

Liam Flenady writes that, in France: 'Nuit debout' movement shakes politics.

Like Occupy Wall Street and Spain's indignados before them, the Nuit debout movement has been criticised for not having a clear set of demands.

This criticism is unfair on two fronts. Firstly, the demonstrators have by-and-large been very clear that they are against corruption, against extreme inequality and austerity, and specifically against the unjust new labour laws. For many, the goal of the Nuit debout movement is to “bring together the different struggles” in French society.

They are for a more responsive democracy, where representatives are less beholden to corporate interests, and where society is run in the interests of the people.

Secondly, it is understandable they do not feel a rush to issue concrete demands at this stage when they are only just emerging from political demobilisation, isolation and division — and feel so betrayed by the mainstream left and the political establishment.

As one participant pointed out: “Basically, it's all the people who have left-wing sympathies but who feel betrayed by left-wing mainstream political parties.”

Emphasis Mine

This is a very dangerous situation to be in. The revolutionary parties must be with the people, not aloof from them.

The revolutionary parties have a large credibility gap to overcome. And I expect that they would not be welcome in such a movement at this time.