Leaders of France’s left-wing parties, now unified under the coalition named the New Popular Post, presented their strategy this Friday to counter the rising far-right influence in the upcoming sudden national parliamentary elections. Keep in mind that any party that is against migrants is called Far-Right.
🇫🇷🗳️ Raphaël #Glucksmann on Friday said he was joining the left-wing union, the New #PopularFront.
The French MEP said the move is in a bid to stop the far-right from winning a parliamentary majority in #France‘s snap #elections later this month.
📹 @montereports pic.twitter.com/0pRxul4uks
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) June 14, 2024
These parties, historically known for their internal disputes, demonstrated unity after four days of intense negotiations. They have reached a consensus on several international issues, including the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict. This alignment is part of their effort to block Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party from winning, which could lead to the far right controlling the French government for the first time since World War II.
The call for an early legislative election followed President Emmanuel Macron’s decision last Sunday to dissolve the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. This action came after Macron’s centrist party faced a significant defeat to the National Rally in the European Parliament elections.
During a press conference, leaders of the New Popular Post declared that the far right is dangerously close to seizing power. They called on their supporters to actively participate in the electoral process rather than resigning themselves to what seems like an inevitable victory for the National Rally, a party with a notorious history of racism and xenophobia.
French leftwing parties form ‘Popular Front’ to contest snap election https://t.co/X9PSnWbbc6
— The Guardian (@guardian) June 14, 2024
Marine Tondelier, the national secretary of the Ecologists party, emphatically stated, “We are going to extinguish the flame of the National Rally. It’s either us or them.”
The crucial election is scheduled in two stages, set for June 30 and July 7.
The New Popular Post coalition includes the Ecologists, French Socialists, Communists, and the hard-left France Unbowed party led by Jean-Luc Melanchon, who has faced allegations of antisemitism following the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The coalition has committed to overturning controversial policies such as Macron’s unemployment benefits reform and his unpopular pension reform law, which increased the retirement age from 62 to 64. They also aim to raise the minimum wage, align salaries and pensions with inflation, and implement price controls on food and energy to enhance the economic stability of French citizens.
Manuel Bompard of France Unbowed emphasized their intention to drastically depart from Macron’s policies to better meet the immediate needs of the public and to embark on crucial environmental initiatives.
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. pic.twitter.com/wwU1t15Ovf
— Daily News Field (@Daly_News_Field) June 14, 2024
On the matter of antisemitism and the Israel-Hamas conflict, the coalition leaders stated that their alliance does not tolerate antisemitism and has condemned the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on October 7 as “terrorist massacres.” They also called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Additionally, they reiterated their support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, promising that no French troops would be sent to Ukraine, maintaining a supportive stance without direct military involvement.
Major Points:
- France’s left-wing parties have united under the New Popular Front coalition to counter the rise of the far-right National Rally in upcoming snap parliamentary elections.
- The coalition was formed following President Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly after his party’s defeat in the European Parliament elections.
- The New Popular Front aims to prevent Marine Le Pen’s National Rally from gaining government control, fearing this could lead to far-right leadership for the first time since World War II.
- Key policies of the coalition include reversing Macron’s pension and unemployment benefit reforms, raising the minimum wage, and freezing prices on essential goods.
- The alliance has also taken a firm stance on international issues, condemning acts of terrorism in the Israel-Hamas conflict and expressing solid support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, with no plans to send French troops.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
