Middle East Monitor / July 9, 2024
After its victory in the French general election on Sunday, the left-wing New Popular Front alliance reiterated its commitment to recognizing the State of Palestine. Addressing a rally, France Unbowed head, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, said this is the only way Paris can weigh in on the matter regarding the situation in Gaza.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a prominent leader of the left-wing New Popular Front alliance, has reiterated his commitment to recognizing the State of Palestine following his coalition’s victory in the recent French general election.
The early election, prompted by President Emmanuel Macron, concluded with the New Popular Front – a four-party left-green alliance – securing the most seats in parliament but not achieving a majority.
The largest party in the alliance, France Unbowed, is headed by Mélenchon.
Celebrating the election victory, Mélenchon indicated their readiness to form a government, asserting: “We will have a prime minister from the New Popular Front.”
Mélenchon highlighted the potential for significant decisions to be made “by decree” on both national and international fronts, emphasizing that recognizing the State of Palestine would be one of their first actions “as quickly as possible.”
In the closely contested second round, the leftists and President Emmanuel Macron’s supporters tacitly cooperated against the far-right.
Despite this, no alliance achieved the absolute majority required to form a government independently.
Macron’s Together for the Republic alliance secured 150 seats, while the far-right National Rally alliance garnered 125 seats.
The absence of an absolute majority, defined as 289 deputies in the parliament, necessitates collaboration among various political parties and alliances to establish a new government.
The formation of this government will depend on the New Popular Front’s ability to forge a coalition with centrist parties without internal division.
Recognizing the State of Palestine was a central promise of the New Popular Front during their campaign, reflecting their stance on international issues and commitment to change in French foreign policy.
The election results mark a significant shift in the French political landscape, with the left-wing alliance poised to influence the future direction of the country.
