72-year-old Jean-Luc Melenchon is one of the most prominent - and divisive - figures in the left-wing New Popular Front alliance, which scored a shock victory in French parliamentary elections. Melenchon is known for his unbridled tax-and-spend proposals, class war rhetoric and controversial foreign policy positions.

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

Jean-Luc Mélenchon has been a central figure in French left-wing politics for several decades. He is currently the leader of France Unbowed, a prominent party in the New Popular Front alliance. This alliance recently achieved a surprise victory in a snap legislative election, surpassing the far right. The president now has the obligation to consider the New Popular Front for governance.

Mélenchon, 72, has held various ministerial posts during his tenure with the Socialist Party. He has also run for president three times in 2012, 2017, and 2022, improving his vote share with each attempt. Notably, he campaigned in 2017 on a platform that included a 90% tax rate for the super-rich. 

Known for his aggressive tax-and-spend policies and strong class-based rhetoric, Mélenchon also holds controversial foreign policy views, particularly his support for Gaza. Despite criticism and allegations of anti-Semitism, which he denies, Mélenchon continues to be a polarizing yet significant figure in French politics. His mainstream political opponents have often stated they are unwilling to collaborate with him.



Who is Jean-Luc Melenchon, France's hard-left leader?

Jean-Luc Mélenchon has been the face of French left-wing politics for decades. The fiery orator is one of the most divisive political figures, enthusing some voters while horrifying others. He's currently the leader of France Unbowed, the largest party in the New Popular Front alliance. That scored a shock victory over the far right in France's recent snap legislative election. The president has the duty to call on the New Popular Front to govern. The 72-year-old held various ministerial posts back when he was a member of the Socialist Party. He ran for president three times in 2012, 2017 and 2022, improving his score each time. In 2017, he ran on a platform of taxing the super-rich at a rate of 90%. Long live the republic, long live the working class, long live France. Mélenchon is known for his unbridled tax and spend proposals, class war rhetoric and controversial foreign policy positions, particularly his support for Gaza. Critics accuse him of anti-Semitism, which he denies. His mainstream opponents were also quick to say they wouldn't do business with him.

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Ahmedabad

Air India crash report shows confusion over engine switch movement

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strike kills children near medical clinic in Gaza

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia launches more strikes, damages Ukraine maternity hospital

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

Netanyahu returns to Israel without Gaza ceasefire deal

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Camarillo

Protesters clash with ICE agents over immigration operation

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Washington

Global Tariffs

Trump targets Brazil with 50% tariff

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Center Point

Urgent search operations for flood victims stretch miles in Texas

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Trump puts 35% tariff on Canada, eyes 15%-20% levies for others

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Texas

Volunteers dig through Texas flood wreckage ahead of Trump visit

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Kuala Lumpur

Top U.S., Russia diplomats discuss Ukraine on ASEAN sidelines

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Russia’s upgraded drone tactics bring intensified attacks across Ukraine

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Ventura County

Intense standoff in California between protesters, federal agents

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Judge blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order

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Los Angeles

31 trapped workers rescued after tunnel collapse

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Rubio: New Russia sanctions a ‘real option’

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Trump muses missile defence system for Ukraine

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Texas officials to address flood warnings after search complete

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San Francisco

Yaccarino steps down as CEO of Elon Musk's X

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Moscow

Trump calls out Putin for stalled peace talks

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Five African leaders have lunch with Trump

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Kerr County

Recovery operations ongoing in Texas as more than 160 still missing

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that he issued tariff letters to Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova and the Philippines.

Trump sends tariff letters to six more countries

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Sana'a

Houthi rebels claim responsibility for attack on ship in Red Sea

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Top European court rules Russia violated international law in Ukraine

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Texas flood death toll hits triple digits, tally of missing tops 180

U.S. President Donald Trump pushed back during his Cabinet meeting about a question regarding Jeffrey Epstein. The DOJ claims Epstein had no list of clients, which is drawing criticism from some of the president's supporters.

Trump questioned over report saying Epstein didn't have client list

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Ontario

Trump threatens 50% tariff on copper imports

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Officials face questions over preparedness for Texas floods

Hundreds of firefighters battled a fast-moving wildfire that reached the outskirts of the southern French city of Marseille on Tuesday, forcing people to stay indoors and the nearby airport to close.

Marseille

France wildfire shuts down Marseille airport

Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota was probably speeding when the Lamborghini car he was driving crashed in northwestern Spain, killing him and his brother, police said in a preliminary report.

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