New York Times 7/7/24: Even as vote counting was still underway across France on Sunday night, one thing was clear: The left-wing coalition called the New Popular Front did much better than expected and helped deny the far right a victory.
Projections show the coalition coming out in front and gaining dozens of seats — a feat for an alliance that was forged only last month with the goal of keeping the far-right National Rally from power.
The alliance includes four left-wing parties: Communists, Socialists, Greens and the far-left party, France Unbowed. While many in France cheered what appeared to be a loss for the far right, others were fearful of what the far left might bring….
The far-left’s proposed platform includes raising France’s monthly minimum wage, lowering the legal retirement age from 64 to 60, building one million new affordable housing units in five years and freezing the prices of basic necessities including food, energy and gas. The state would also pay households all costs associated with their children’s education, including meals at cafeterias, transportation and extracurricular activities.
Instead of drastically cutting immigration, as the far right had promised, the coalition pledged to make the asylum process more generous and smooth.
The New Popular Front has pledged to come up with the tens of billions of euros needed to pay for its programs by taxing wealthy individuals.
(Reuters) -France’s left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), a hastily assembled alliance, has emerged as the leading bloc in the next parliament – but without a working majority.
The NFP, made up of the Communist Party, the hard left France Unbowed, the Greens, and the Socialist Party, has not said who would be its pick for prime minister. Its parties appeared unable to agree on who would hold cross-party appeal.”
Political custom dictates that President Emmanuel Macron names a prime minister from among the ranks of the largest political force or coalition in parliament.
French President Emmanuel Macron rolled the dice on his political future on Sunday, calling snap legislative elections for later this month after he was trounced in the European Union vote by Marine Le Pen’s far-right party.
Macron’s shock decision set off a political earthquake in France, offering the far-right a shot at real political power after years on the sidelines and threatening to neuter his presidency three years before it ends.
Macron said the EU result was grim for his government, and one he could not ignore. In an address to the nation, less than two months before Paris hosts the Olympics, he said lower house elections would be called for June 30, with a second-round vote on July 7.
“This is an essential time for clarification,” Macron said. “I have heard your message, your concerns and I will not leave them unanswered … France needs a clear majority to act in serenity and harmony.” — Reuters
+ Marine Le Pen speaks on losses
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