ON
← Back to feed
"We must be discreet, so as not to endanger our careers": who are the "Phrygians", this anonymous circle close to France Insoumise
France🏛️ PoliticsProgressiveOverlooked by conservatives8/25/2026

"We must be discreet, so as not to endanger our careers": who are the "Phrygians", this anonymous circle close to France Insoumise

The article reports on a secret network of approximately eighty high-ranking civil servants, referred to as 'Phrygiens,' who are working discreetly to support the political rise of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the France Insoumise movement. These officials, spread across various state ministries including Bercy and the Quai d'Orsay, create internal documents and offer their expertise to bolster Mélenchon’s chances of winning power. The group was formed in May 2026 after Mélenchon announced his candidacy, with members self-organizing and selecting leaders to manage the network. They aim to legitimize the movement’s ability to govern and implement radical policies. The article notes that this practice is not unique to France Insoumise, as other parties like the National Rally have similar networks, such as the 'Horaces.'

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, declared at a weekend gathering in Châteauneuf-sur-Isère that his party is ready to govern starting in 2027. Speaking before thousands of supporters, he reiterated his proposal to cancel part of France’s debt and promised to restore public finances. His remarks came ahead of the upcoming economic conference hosted by the Medef, which will take place this Thursday. Mélenchon, who has run for president four times previously, emphasized that victory in the 2027 election is achievable. He stated that his party is prepared to assume power immediately after the next presidential term. Wearing his signature red tie, he addressed the crowd with confidence, highlighting his commitment to fiscal responsibility. “We are the serious and responsible ones,” he claimed, contrasting himself with business leaders, whom he accused of causing financial instability. The leader of La France Insoumise also defended his controversial proposal to cancel a portion of France’s debt, particularly that incurred during the pandemic. He argued that the European Central Bank should freeze public debts of member states, beginning with those related to the pandemic period. Despite criticism, he remained steadfast in his position, stating that such action is both necessary and justified. In addition to his economic plans, Mélenchon outlined measures aimed at boosting consumption and investment through higher wages and taxation of corporate profits. He warned against the government led by Sebastien Lecornu, stating that its proposed 2027 budget would worsen the country's economic situation and would be opposed by his party. On environmental issues, Mélenchon pledged to introduce an ecological conscription to create regional civil defense units. He also proposed the establishment of eco-regions based on watersheds. Addressing global affairs, he criticized President Emmanuel Macron for aligning too closely with U.S. policies and called for a stronger French presence on the world stage. He also expressed disapproval of the current administration’s approach to international law. Mélenchon directed his comments toward the prefects, urging them to act impartially and cease legal actions against members of his party. He demanded that they treat all deputies equally and perform standard military salutes. His speech underscored his determination to challenge the existing political order and implement his vision for governance.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (2)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

3 reports

Le Figaro logoLe FigaroIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 85Objective 758/23/2026
"We must be discreet, so as not to endanger our careers": who are the "Phrygians", this anonymous circle close to France Insoumise

The article reports on a secret network of approximately eighty high-ranking civil servants, referred to as 'Phrygiens,' who are working discreetly to support the political rise of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the France Insoumise movement. These officials, spread across various state ministries including Bercy and the Quai d'Orsay, create internal documents and offer their expertise to bolster Mélenchon’s chances of winning power. The group was formed in May 2026 after Mélenchon announced his candidacy, with members self-organizing and selecting leaders to manage the network. They aim to legitimize the movement’s ability to govern and implement radical policies. The article notes that this practice is not unique to France Insoumise, as other parties like the National Rally have similar networks, such as the 'Horaces.'

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the actions of the 'Phrygiens' as a strategic and legitimate effort by civil servants to support a leftist political figure, emphasizing their role in legitimizing radical governance. While it acknowledges the existence of similar networks in other parties, it does not balance the

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the existence of the 'Phrygiens' network of high-ranking officials supporting LFI, citing the primary source document. It mentions the approximate number of members (around 80), their activities (producing confidential documents), and their presence in various ministri

Why objectivity (75): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone but includes some framing that emphasizes the potential risks to the careers of these officials, which could be seen as slightly sympathetic to their position. The language is mostly objective, though there is a slight focus on the political implicatio

Le Figaro logoLe FigaroIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 60Objective 658/23/2026
Victory is possible :: Jean-Luc Mélenchon assures that La France Insoumise is ready to govern as early as 2027

At a summer meeting of France Insoumise in Châteauneuf-sur-Isère, Jean-Luc Mélenchon reiterated his proposal to cancel part of France’s debt and pledged to 'put public finances back in order.' He emphasized that the movement is ready to govern starting in 2027, positioning himself as a serious and responsible alternative to economic elites. Mélenchon criticized the current government under Sébastien Lecornu, claiming its 2027 budget plan would worsen France’s economic problems. He also outlined plans to tax 'superprofits,' increase wages, and address climate issues through measures like ecological conscription and eco-regions. The speech was delivered before over 10,000 supporters, with a strong focus on social justice, environmental protection, and challenging the status quo.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames Jean-Luc Mélenchon as a credible and forward-looking leader who represents a progressive alternative to mainstream politics. The language used emphasizes social responsibility, criticism of economic elites, and bold policy proposals such as debt cancellation and ecological reforms

Why factuality (60): This article focuses primarily on Jean-Luc Mélenchon's campaign promises and does not directly address the 'Phrygiens' network mentioned in the primary source. While it references LFI's readiness to govern, it lacks direct connection to the network of officials described in the original document. So

Why objectivity (65): The article presents Mélenchon's statements in a somewhat supportive manner, emphasizing his confidence and policy proposals. There is a clear bias towards portraying him positively, which affects the overall neutrality of the piece. The tone is more promotional than journalistic.

Les Échos logoLes ÉchosIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 55Objective 458/25/2026
What if President Mélenchon really cancelled 18% of the French debt? : a fictional scenario narrated by Thierry Breton

The article presents a fictional scenario in which President Jean-Luc Mélenchon, if he were to become president, might cancel 18% of France's debt. The piece is authored by Thierry Breton, who serves as an economic advisor and former minister. It explores the potential implications of such a policy, including its impact on France’s fiscal stability, international relations, and economic growth. While the scenario is presented as hypothetical, it reflects broader debates around debt restructuring and austerity measures in European economies.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the idea of debt cancellation as a progressive policy aligned with leftist economic principles, emphasizing its potential benefits for social equity and national sovereignty. Although the scenario is fictional, the tone and emphasis suggest support for radical economic reforms, a傾

Why factuality (55): This article presents a fictional scenario where President Mélenchon cancels 18% of France’s debt, framed as a speculative piece. While it acknowledges the hypothetical nature of the scenario, it uses a narrative style that may confuse readers. Cross-source consensus indicates that such scenarios ar

Why objectivity (45): The article has a highly speculative and narrative tone, bordering on entertainment. It uses dramatic phrasing and implies a level of plausibility that isn't supported by real-world economic models, showing a clear editorial slant.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories