France's left-wing political parties say they have united to form a "New Popular Front" to go head to head with the far right in snap parliamentary elections at the end of this month.

Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron calls a snap election following a bruising loss to the far-right in a European Parliament ballot.

France snap election

France's left-wing political parties have formed a coalition called the "New Popular Front" to challenge the far right in imminent parliamentary elections. Led by Manuel Bompard of France Unbowed, the coalition aims to present unified candidates in each constituency to gain a parliamentary majority.

The coalition's manifesto emphasizes two central themes: international peace and economic support. It includes support for Ukraine against Russian aggression and calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Domestically, it proposes measures to strengthen the purchasing power of French citizens by blocking prices on essential goods and energy.

The coalition plans to finance these initiatives by raising taxes on the wealthy and imposing a special tax on companies that made significant profits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, remains a divisive figure and will not be the candidate for Prime Minister even if the left wins.



French left forms 'Popular Front' to fight far right

You just heard from the boss of the Green Party. She said it was an emotional moment for her, a historic time and no choice but to defeat the far-right in France or else the country would be in danger. It is Manuel Bompard for the France Unbowed party, the radical left, who addressed the journalist first because his party is dominant in this left-wing bloc. He said there would be two main themes in this manifesto. Peace on an international level, of course, with a full support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian aggression, and also everything would be done to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. And then he said there was also questions regarding the purchasing power of the French people, very important for this left-wing bloc. And Manuel Bompard, like the rest of the left-wing parties in this coalition, say they want to block prices on food, products of first necessity, as well as block the price of energy that has been rising, of course, in recent months. Manuel Bompard for France Unbowed said there were 150 measures altogether and this was really a manifesto to break away from Emmanuel Macron and his government and policies they believe have damaged the purchasing power of the French people, as well as the general situation here in the country. And when asked how are you going to finance this, well, for the left-wing bloc, it is very simple, we will get the money where it is, and that is raise taxes for the richer parts of French society, and have a special tax on the super-profits, as it is called here, of some companies, companies who have made huge profits, notably during the COVID pandemic. We did not hear from Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of France Unbowed, what role does he have in this alliance, Clovis? Jean-Luc Mélenchon is the boss of France Unbowed, that radical left party I was telling you about, the party that has the most constituencies in this deal, because of course the left-wing bloc is going to be presenting one single candidate per constituency in order to stand a chance to win and get some kind of a majority in this legislative election. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, divisive figure, polarising one. He is not very much appreciated in the ranks of the Socialists, much of the Green Party, and André Glucksmann, who is the Socialist who is leading the Socialists in the European election. Jean-Luc Mélenchon is not a consensual figure, therefore he cannot be the candidate if the left-wing wins the elections. He cannot be the next Prime Minister. You can see the action behind me. Take a look. You have all of these left-wing heavyweights responding, answering questions of journalists. We were there minutes ago and I can tell you, all smiles here with these leaders. And in the salons of the venue, there is some kind of a cocktail going on with French politicians, sipping red wine for some. It is France after all.

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