France’s left-wing parties have struggled to find common ground ahead of the European elections but have managed to form an alliance called the New Popular Front (NFP) for the upcoming snap legislative elections. This coalition, consisting of the France Unbowed (LFI) party, the Communist party, the Socialist party, and the Greens, is currently polling second with less than a week to go before the first round of voting opens. While the NFP is forecasted to secure 29.5% of the vote, it still trails behind the far-right National Rally (RN) by six points, but is comfortably ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party. Despite appearing divided during the European elections, the NFP has come together to present a common program of 150 measures.
One of the key areas the NFP is focused on is immigration. The coalition aims to establish a rescue agency for undocumented migrants at sea and on land, as well as facilitate visa applications. It also calls for a reopening of the European Migration Pact for further negotiations before it comes into effect in 2026. Additionally, the NFP wants to create a status for “climate refugees” and ensure access to state medical aid for undocumented migrants, as well as birthright citizenship for children born in France. In contrast to the National Rally, the NFP’s approach to immigration is more inclusive and aims to provide support to vulnerable populations.
On the international stage, the NFP is committed to defending Ukraine and promoting peace on the European continent. Their proposed measures include delivering necessary weapons to Ukraine, cancelling the country’s foreign debt, seizing the assets of oligarchs supporting the Russian war effort, and sending peacekeepers to secure nuclear power plants. These actions demonstrate the NFP’s stance on supporting Ukraine and maintaining stability in the region, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Addressing the cost of living crisis is another significant aspect of the NFP’s program. The coalition calls for capping the prices of basic necessities like food, energy, and fuel, indexing wages and pensions to inflation, and raising the minimum wage. They also reject the austerity constraints of the EU’s budget pact and aim to re-establish a wealth tax with a climate component, abolish inefficient tax niches, and reform the inheritance tax to be more progressive. These economic policies are designed to support working-class citizens and promote a fairer distribution of wealth.
Environmental issues are a key focus of the NFP’s program, with proposals for a moratorium on mega-basins for water storage, a climate plan for carbon neutrality by 2050, and complete insulation of housing. The coalition aims for France to become a leader in renewable energies, particularly offshore wind power and hydroelectric power. These measures reflect the NFP’s commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. Overall, the NFP’s platform encompasses a wide range of policy proposals aimed at addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, reflecting the diverse perspectives of the left-wing parties that make up the coalition.
