La France Insoumise (LFI), the Socialist Party (PS), the Communist Party (PC) and the Ecologists, all left-wing parties, declared on Friday their union under the banner of a united front, called “New Popular Front,” ahead of the June 30 parliamentary elections.
Leaders of this new coalition provided a detailed platform centered on increasing French residents’ purchasing power, economic changes, climate challenges and European policies.
Among their promises, the alliance intends to rescind recent pension and unemployment insurance changes, index salaries to inflation, and establish the minimum wage (SMIC) and retirement pension at 1600 euros net.
They also intend to solve the climate catastrophe by establishing a climate strategy that aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and implement the green norm.
The coalition suggests ensuring the right to housing by building one million eco-friendly dwellings over the next five years, abolishing evictions, and regulating rent in high-demand neighborhoods.
Politically, the alliance’s electoral program includes establishing a 6th Republic, repealing Article 49 paragraph 3, which allows the government to pass legislation without parliamentary approval, holding proportional representation elections for the National Assembly and Senate, and convening a constituent assembly to draft a new Constitution.
At the European level, the New Popular Front intends to enact far-reaching reforms such as extending superprofit taxes across Europe, terminating free trade deals, and revising the Common Agricultural Policy.
It’s a response to the far-right National Rally rise in last Sunday’s European elections.
President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly and called for early parliamentary elections, with the first round set for June 30 and the second round for July 7.
The electoral campaign for the first round will begin on Monday, June 17, as political leaders have already begun to prepare by announcing new partnerships.
Eric Ciotti, the Republican Party’s leader, has established an alliance with the National Rally, while the left has formed the New Popular Front.
Macron detailed his party’s primary campaign topics, signaling a tough and competitive election season ahead, during a news conference on Wednesday.