France: Jean-Luc Mélenchon demands left-wing prime minister after defeating hard right in legislative elections

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La Francia Insoumise and a prominent figure of the French radical left, launched a forceful call to President Emmanuel Macron to appoint a prime minister from the left alliance.

This request comes in the wake of a leftist coalition, the New Popular Front, won most seats in the recent French legislative election, defeating a far-right spike in the first round but fell short of a majority. The result has left France facing the possibility of a ‘hung parliament,” creating the possibility of major gridlock.

According to the French Interior Ministry and Associated Press, the leftist coalition won most the most seats in parliament, taking at least 181. Macron’s centrists won more than 160 seats, and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally took 143 seats.

As a result of the election results, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal will reportedly offer his resignation on Monday.

“Our country is facing an unprecedented political situation and is preparing to welcome the world in a few weeks.”

In a gathering in the French capital, Mélenchon celebrated what he considers a victory for the left before hundreds of supporters, expressing his relief that the imminent victory expected from the far right did not materialize.

In his speech, the leftist leader stressed that the election results confirm a “defeat” for both President Macron and his ruling coalition.

Mélenchon also addressed Macron directly, asking him not to “escape from that defeat with subterfuge.”

According to the La Francia Insumisa leader, the president must accept the reality reflected in the votes and proceed with the appointment of a prime minister who represents the New Popular Front, the left-wing coalition that groups his party together with socialists, communists and environmentalists.

Mélenchon's message was clear: the new head of government must implement the New Popular Front program in its entirety and without concessions.

“You have to apply your program and only your program,” he emphasized, making it clear that he will not lend himself to negotiations with Macron's coalition.

Among the measures that the leftist leader wants to see implemented are the repeal of the pension reform approved last year, the introduction of price blocking for certain essential products and the increase in the minimum wage.

Mélenchon's stance represents a direct challenge to the current political status quo in France. His insistence on implementing policies by decree reflects a bold strategy to consolidate the reforms proposed by the left, which he believes respond to the urgent needs of French citizens.

The demand for a left-wing prime minister not only seeks to change the political direction of the country, but also underlines an ideological victory in the public arena.

Le Pen says France will be “totally deadlocked” with three similarly sized movements in the French National Assembly, but none with a majority, and hopes the National Rally party will have a majority “maybe in a year.”

Sunday’s events sent shockwaves after the far right swept to victory for the first time since the Second World War.

Macron is expected to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027.