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Arlett LaguillerFrench Trotskyist politician, representative of the Workers' Struggle party.
Country:
 France |
Content:
- Arlette Laguiller: A Trailblazing Trotskyist Candidate
- Early Life and Political Engagement
- Electoral Campaigns
- A Notable Run in 2002
- Second-Round Dilemmas
- Final Campaign and Support for Royal
- Signature Slogan
Arlette Laguiller: A Trailblazing Trotskyist Candidate
Arlette Laguiller (born 1940), known simply as "Arlette," is a prominent French Trotskyist politician and the leader of the Workers' Struggle party (Lutte Ouvrière, LO).
Early Life and Political Engagement
Laguiller joined the LO in 1968 and ascended to its leadership in 1973. She gained national recognition in 1974 for organizing a bank employees' strike.
Electoral Campaigns
In 1974, Laguiller launched an unprecedented career as the LO's perennial presidential candidate. She ran six times over 33 years: in 1974, 1981, 1988, 1995, 2002, and 2007.
A Notable Run in 2002
Laguiller achieved her best electoral result in 2002, garnering 5.72% of the vote (1.6 million votes) and placing fifth behind Jacques Chirac, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Lionel Jospin, and François Bayrou. Despite the fragmented left-wing vote and the presence of two additional Trotskyist candidates, Laguiller's performance was remarkable.
Second-Round Dilemmas
When Chirac and Le Pen advanced to the second round in 2002, Laguiller refused to endorse Chirac as the "lesser evil," a stance that drew mixed reactions.
Final Campaign and Support for Royal
Laguiller announced that the 2007 election would be her last. Having received only 1.33% of the vote, she endorsed Ségolène Royal in the second round. This marked a departure from the LO's previous policy of not publicly supporting Socialist candidates.
Signature Slogan
Laguiller's speeches typically begin with the phrase "Workers!" (Travailleuses, travailleurs!), which has been the subject of frequent parodies and mockery in the satirical press.
