Preferable to Starmer he may be, but there is scant sign of a sharp political break in Burnham’s policies so far — while left challenges aren’t making much of a running either, finds ANDREW MURRAY. How can socialism be put back on the map?
IT IS with trepidation that the French left is waiting for the outcome of the second round of the legislative elections next Sunday, June 19.
Nupes, the new left coalition which stands for Nouvelle Union Populaire Ecologique et Sociale (New Social and Ecological People’s Union) is challenging President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist bloc Ensemble! (Together).
Following his 22 per cent score in April’s presidential contest, Jean-Luc Melenchon’s score rose in this first round of the legislatives, giving him a slight lead of 26.6 per cent over Macron’s 25.20 per cent.
While Italy’s communist tradition remains fragmented and politically marginal, France’s party is attempting to re-establish itself as an independent force rooted in working-class organisation, says NICK WRIGHT
While millions face poverty and public services are squeezed, France is committing billions to defence spending and weapons production, in a dangerous shift towards permanent preparation for war, says CONOR BOLLINS
The desperate French president keeps running up the same political cul-de-sac. DENNIS BROE offers an explanation



