Mélenchon Faces Backlash Over Remarks During Lyon Rally Amidst Tensions Following Far-Right Activist’s Death
Lyon, France – French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon sparked controversy during a campaign rally in Lyon on Thursday, drawing accusations of antisemitism for remarks made while criticizing media coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein case. The incident occurred as Mélenchon campaigned in support of LFI candidate Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi in the lead-up to municipal elections, and comes at a sensitive time following the death of far-right activist Quentin Deranque earlier this month.
Mélenchon’s comments centered on the pronunciation of Epstein’s name, deliberately emphasizing a Yiddish-inflected pronunciation – “Epstine” – and then offering mock instruction on how to say it, comparing it to “Frankenstein.” The remarks quickly ignited a firestorm on social media.
“Ah… I meant Epstine, sorry, that sounds more Russian, Epstine. Now you’ll say Epstine instead of Epstein, Frankenstein instead of Frankenstein! Well, everyone understands how to do it. You can all improve,” Mélenchon said, according to Le Figaro.
Critics, including Yonathan Arfi, president of the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de France (CRIF), condemned the remarks as a “conspiracy-fueled delusion with antisemitic undertones.” Arfi stated that correctly pronouncing an American name “doesn’t require manipulation” and equated Mélenchon’s comments with “political indignity.”
Aurore Bergé, Minister for Equality between Women and Men, was even more direct, labeling Mélenchon’s LFI party as antisemitic and calling for voters to reject them. Matthias Renault, a deputy from the Rassemblement National (RN), described the incident as a “calculated antisemitic slip.”
The controversy adds to existing tensions surrounding Mélenchon and his party, which have been accused of fueling antisemitism since the October 7th attacks in Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. Mélenchon has increasingly focused on the Palestinian cause as a central tenet of his political strategy, seeking to mobilize young voters and those in marginalized communities.
The incident also follows a period of strained relations between Mélenchon and the press, which have worsened since the death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist who died from brain injuries sustained in an attack two weeks prior. The circumstances surrounding Deranque’s death have been a focal point of political debate in France.
Mélenchon also used the rally to revisit the Epstein case, criticizing what he described as media silence surrounding the matter and questioning the work of investigative journalists. He specifically referenced reporting by France Info, alleging a disregard for “the secrecy of the investigation,” except, he added pointedly, “when it comes to the Epstein affair.”
The fallout from Mélenchon’s remarks is likely to further polarize the French political landscape as the country heads towards municipal elections. The incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding issues of antisemitism and the challenges facing the left in navigating the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.