Politics · France · 4 hrs ago
French left invokes patriotism ahead of 2027 presidential election
As France looks ahead to its 2027 presidential election, left-wing politicians are putting patriotism back at the center of their campaigns.
At a rally in Saint-Denis on June 7, Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s supporters waved French flags and sang the national anthem.
Mélenchon spoke of a shared homeland and a new way to unite the nation.
Raphaël Glucksmann also made patriotism a theme, telling a rally in Aubervilliers that the left should reclaim national symbols.
Both are challenging the far-right National Rally, whose figures include Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen, over who represents France.
The idea of the modern nation emerged during the French Revolution, and the left once embraced it strongly, while the far right has claimed it since the late 20th century.
The campaign debate is about whether the left can make patriotism part of its own political message again.
The French left is making patriotism and the idea of the nation prominent ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s June 7 rally in Saint-Denis featured French flags, repeated singing of “La Marseillaise” and chants of “On est chez nous.”
Center-left politician Raphaël Glucksmann called for reclaiming national symbols from the far-right National Rally.
Glucksmann has made patriotism a theme of his latest book and a June 13 rally in Aubervilliers.
Historian Patrick Cabanel said the modern idea of the nation was born on the left during the French Revolution.
- Who
- French left politicians Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Raphaël Glucksmann are promoting patriotism; the National Rally is identified as the far-right party whose claim to patriotic symbols they seek to challenge.
- What
- The left is seeking to reclaim the idea of the nation and patriotic symbols.
- When
- Ahead of the 2027 presidential election; rallies took place on June 7 and June 13.
- Where
- At rallies in Saint-Denis and Aubervilliers, suburbs of Paris, France.
- Why
- Glucksmann said the left should reclaim patriotism from the party that has “usurped it for decades.
French left
National Rally
Patriotic symbols
French left
The left says it should reclaim national symbols and the “national flame.
National Rally
The article says the far right has claimed the idea of the nation since the end of the 20th century.
Political ownership
French left
The left argues that it historically embraced the nation first.
National Rally
The article says the National Rally has sought to monopolize French patriotic symbols.
reclaim the national flame
has usurped it for decades
The modern nation was born on the left, during the French Revolution
common homeland
Revolutionary troops at Valmy cried “Long live the nation!”, according to historian Patrick Cabanel.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon held a rally in Saint-Denis, where attendees waved French flags, sang “La Marseillaise” and chanted “On est chez nous.
Raphaël Glucksmann held a rally in Aubervilliers and called for reclaiming the “national flame.
France is due to hold its presidential election.
- Election
- 2027 French presidential election
- Jean-Luc Mélenchon rally
- June 7, Saint-Denis
- Raphaël Glucksmann rally
- June 13, Aubervilliers
- Glucksmann book
- Nous Avons Encore Envie. Pour un Sursaut Patriotique
- Historian
- Patrick Cabanel
Sources
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