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France and the exciting prospect of advance for the left
With the tantalising prospect of Melenchon’s left alliance winning a majority in the national assembly, KEVIN OVENDEN takes a look at the shifting French political forces where, for the left, there’s all to play for
Jean-Luc Melenchon casts his ballot in the first round of the parliamentary election, Sunday, June 12, 2022 in Marseille, southern France.

FIVE years ago there was jubilation among the liberal-capitalist centre that Emmanuel Macron had not only won the presidency but had then secured a solid majority in the separate national assembly elections with 350 seats out of 577.

That euphoria and almost erotic investment in the dashing, young, liberal moderniser have today given way to a dose of reality. 

His majority in April’s presidential election narrowed compared to 2017. He lost two million votes. His second-round opponent Marine Le Pen, heading the far right, gained over two million.

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