France’s major television stations on Sunday (July 7) broadcast the shock news that Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) had come third in the second round of the parliamentary elections.
The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) won the most seats ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble alliance.
The first round of the election on June 30 had put the National Rally in front.
The seasoned left-wing firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon, whose detractors view him as an extremist, buoyantly declared victory.
“The president must call on the New Popular Front to govern,” the leader of France Unbowed, the largest party in New Popular Front, told supporters in Stalingrad square, Paris.
He said the results were a “huge relief for the overwhelming majority of people in our country.”
“Our people have clearly rejected the worst-case scenario,” Mr Mélenchon added. “A magnificent surge of civic mobilisation has taken hold.”
Mr Mélenchon heads the France Unbowed (LFI) on the radical left. LFI is a populist party founded in 2016 based on the belief that established political parties and institutions are no longer useful to democracy.
His coalition, hastily assembled in anticipation of President Macron's unexpected win, consists of Trotskyists, Greens, Socialists, Communists, and even his own extreme France Unbowed. Their win, however, is insufficient to establish a government.
With 182 seats for the leftist coalition, 168 for President Macron’s centrists, and 143 for the far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National, or RN) the Assembly, the lower house, is now divided into three distinct blocs.
So who exactly is Mr Mélenchon? Here’s what you need to know.
Who is Jean-Luc Mélenchon?
Mr Mélenchon, 72, is a prominent French politician known for his left-wing views and his charismatic and often fiery oratory style. Here are some key points about him:
Early Life and career:
- He was born on August 19, 1951, in Tangier, Morocco. His parents, a teacher and a post office worker, were descended from Italian and Spanish immigrants to French Algeria at the beginning of the 20th century.
- He moved to France with his family in 1962 and became involved in leftist politics as a student.
Education:
- He earned a degree in philosophy from the University of Franche-Comté in Besançon, France.
- Mr Mélenchon worked as a teacher, initially teaching French literature and later philosophy.
Journalism:
- He worked as a journalist for the regional newspaper La Dépêche du Jura.
- This role allowed him to engage with public discourse and develop his communication skills, which later became a hallmark of his political career.
Political career:
- Mr Mélenchon began his political career with the Socialist Party (Parti Socialiste or PS), joining in 1976.
- He served as a senator for the Essonne department from 1986 to 2000 and again from 2004 to 2010.
- In the late 1990s, he was appointed as Minister of Vocational Education in the government of Prime Minister Lionel Jospin (2000-2002).
Shift to the far left:
- Disillusioned with the Socialist Party's shift towards the centre, Mr Mélenchon left the party in 2008.
- He founded the Left Party (Parti de Gauche) and became a leading figure in the broader Left Front (Front de Gauche) coalition.
La France Insoumise:
- In 2016, Mr Mélenchon launched a new movement called La France Insoumise (France Unbowed), positioning it as a populist, left-wing alternative to the traditional parties.
- He ran for president in 2017 and 2022 under this banner, gaining significant support, particularly from younger voters and those dissatisfied with mainstream politics.
Political views and policies:
- Mr Mélenchon advocates progressive policies, including wealth redistribution, stronger labour rights, environmental protection, and increased public spending on social services.
- He is a vocal critic of neoliberal economic policies, European Union austerity measures, and what he perceives as the dominance of global finance.
- His platform also includes proposals for a Sixth Republic, aiming to replace France’s current political system with one that he argues would be more democratic and accountable.
What is he renowned for?
Mr Mélenchon is renowned for his fiery speeches, often delivered without a teleprompter or notes, employing a mix of humour and anger. He frequently captivates crowds by condemning the “extreme markets that transform suffering, misery, and abandonment into gold and money”.
Mr Mélenchon has highlighted the stark economic inequalities in France, describing it as a country “with huge wealth that is badly distributed”.
One of the most controversial figures in French politics, Mr Mélenchon is a passionate orator who inspires some while intimidating others. His 2017 campaign platform included bold proposals such as eliminating nuclear power; reducing the working week to 32 hours; and imposing a 100 per cent tax on income over €400,000 (£338,000). These policies reflect his commitment to radical economic reform and wealth redistribution.
He is also well-known for his polarising views on foreign affairs, especially concerning Gaza. His France Unbowed party has been a vocal critic of Israel and has refused to label Hamas as a terrorist organisation. This stance has fuelled further controversy and debate around his political positions.
Mr Mélenchon's confrontational style extends to his interactions with political peers. He has long shown disdain for President Macron, positioning himself as a stark alternative to the centrist leader.
Known for his short temper, Mr Mélenchon was caught on camera in 2018 cursing at a police officer conducting a search related to a campaign financing probe. He was heard shouting, "Get out of my way and let me open the door," and asserting his authority as a member of parliament.
This incident led to an €8,000 (£6,700) fine and a three-month suspended prison sentence for intimidating officials.
