Politics · France · 6 hrs ago
Mélenchon sets out French election pledges and Ukraine peace position
Jean-Luc Mélenchon presented his 2027 election programme at a rally near Paris on Saturday.
The 75-year-old leader of France Unbowed is a prominent candidate on the left, and polls suggest he could reach the presidential runoff next April.
His platform promises to raise the net monthly minimum wage to €1,700 and restore retirement at 60 for people who have paid into the system for 40 years.
He also said Ukraine’s people must decide on any territorial concessions in a peace deal, rather than having borders changed without their consent.
Mélenchon said Europe should play an active role in negotiations and that a government led by his party would work to settle the war.
Russia occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukraine, and the country has rejected giving up territory in peace talks.
Ukrainian, Russian and US representatives are expected to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday for direct talks, the first in months.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon presented his La France Insoumise programme for France’s 2027 presidential election at a rally near Paris on November 7.
His proposals include raising the monthly net minimum wage to €1,700 and restoring retirement at 60 for people with 40 years of contributions.
He called for sweeping changes to France’s economic and energy policies, including higher taxes on the wealthiest households and a gradual phase-out of nuclear power.
On foreign policy, he called for France to gradually leave NATO and said Ukraine’s people should decide whether to accept territorial changes in any peace deal.
The rally drew thousands of supporters, and polls cited by the reports suggested Mélenchon could reach the presidential runoff.
- Who
- Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise and a French presidential hopeful.
- What
- He presented his programme for the 2027 election and set out policy proposals, including higher minimum wages and retirement at 60.
- When
- November 7, 2026.
- Where
- At a rally at Le Bourget, just outside Paris.
- Why
- To present his party’s programme for France’s 2027 presidential election.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mélenchon presented La France Insoumise’s 2027 election programme and spoke at a rally at Le Bourget.
Ukrainian officials were expected to meet Russian negotiators and US envoys for the first direct talks in months.
- Minimum wage
- Proposed increase to €1,700 net per month from around €1,480
- Retirement age
- Restore retirement at 60 for people with 40 years of contributions
- Party
- La France Insoumise (LFI)
- Manifesto
- L’Avenir en commun, described as the fifth edition of the party platform
- Rally location
- Le Bourget, just outside Paris
11 sources
"Il faut tout changer !" : Jean-Luc Mélenchon a présenté son programme pour l'élection présidentielle 2027
Jean-Luc Mélenchon raises Ukraine peace deal in campaign speech
Au Bourget, la démonstration de force de Mélenchon
French presidential hopeful Melenchon pledges minimum wage rise, retirement at 60
What people are saying
We cannot accept that one could consider a peace with territorial concessions in Ukraine without asking the populations concerned if they agree or not to be on one side or the other of the border. It is for the people themselves to decide what they want.
We must change everything!