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La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Melenchon
FRANCE’S Socialist Party reached an agreement in principle today with Jean-Luc Melenchon’s La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) to form an alliance for the legislative elections.
The Communist Party struck a deal with Mr Melenchon last night, and the Greens did so earlier this week, meaning the French left could display its greatest unity in decades as it seeks to win a majority in the National Assembly and make Mr Melenchon, who came a narrow third in the recent presidential election, prime minister.
La France Insoumise MP Adrien Quatennens declared: “We can and will beat [President] Emmanuel Macron and we can do it with a majority to govern for a radical programme.”
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