Harlem Désir

After eighteen months at the head of the PS, Harlem Désir faced strong criticism within his party over leadership considered ineffective and lacking public impact. The heavy defeat in the 2014 municipal elections accelerated his replacement by Jean-Christophe Cambadélis, while Désir joined the government as Secretary of State for European Affairs, an appointment described by his critics as a means of removing him or finding him another position.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

At the height of the Leonarda Dibrani affair, Harlem Désir called for the schoolgirl to be allowed to return to France to continue her education, taking a position that conflicted with the solution publicly announced by François Hollande. The episode reinforced the impression of a government and party unable to maintain a common position.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

In 2012, Harlem Désir was selected as the majority motion's candidate to succeed Martine Aubry as head of the Parti socialiste, following negotiations between party leaders and intervention by associates of François Hollande. Many officials described his candidacy as a default choice or one imposed from above.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In December 1998, Harlem Désir was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment, suspended, and a 30,000-franc fine for handling the proceeds of breach of trust (recel d'abus de confiance). In 1986 and 1987, he had received salaries from a migrant training association for a job the court found to be fictitious while he headed SOS Racisme.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Personally implicated

Under Harlem Désir's presidency, SOS Racisme was regularly accused, particularly by the Communist Party and other critics, of being an instrument of the Socialist Party or the Élysée designed to exert political control over anti-racist mobilisation.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Political responsibility

During the Gulf War, SOS Racisme, still closely associated with Harlem Désir, adopted pacifist positions and took part in the debate opposing the logic of war. Some observers criticised this development as a departure from the association's anti-racist purpose.

State of the evidence

Documented