Dissensus in French Politics: Navigating Divisions Amid the Venezuelan Crisis

The year 2025 in France has been marked by political discourse heavily emphasizing consensus, such as compromise and agreement. However, Guénaëlle Gault, director of L’ObSoCo, argues for embracing dissensus—a vital component for a healthy democracy. Gault highlights that modern society is deeply individualized, leading to divergent desires and visions that naturally resist unification. She asserts that without managing dissensus properly, political conflict may shift into resentment or voter abstention, whereas well-managed disagreement can foster constructive debate rather than violence.

This theoretical outlook is reflected in the recent polarized French reactions to the Venezuelan crisis following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States. Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon condemned what he calls American imperialism and demanded Maduro’s immediate release, denying accusations of supporting Maduro but criticizing the U.S.'s motives, which he attributes to oil interests rather than the publicly alleged narcotrafficking charges. Contrastingly, President Emmanuel Macron called for a peaceful democratic transition away from what he termed Maduro’s dictatorship, emphasizing respect for Venezuelan sovereignty and fundamental freedoms.

French political figures remain divided, with Macron’s foreign minister decrying the U.S. operation as a violation of international law, while far-right Marine Le Pen underlined the importance of state sovereignty despite her critical stance on Maduro. Socialist leader Olivier Faure condemned the U.S. strike regardless of opinions on Maduro, and Eurodeputy Raphaël Glucksmann warned about a global shift toward power politics dominated by "the law of the strongest."

These varied responses underscore the presence of dissensus within France's political landscape, mirroring Gault’s analysis. The Venezuelan situation exemplifies how different political visions coexist, challenging the prevailing obsession with political unity. Protests in Paris, organized by Mélenchon’s party and the Communist Party, further manifested these tensions by opposing the American intervention.

In France’s hyper-individualized society, dissent illustrates the necessary coexistence of conflicting views rather than a breakdown of political dialogue. As Gault concludes, recognizing and assuming dissensus can transform talented democratic conflict into dialogue rather than displacement or abstention — a crucial lesson amid ongoing international upheavals.