--- title: "French Presidential Candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon Gains Momentum Ahead of Election" url: https://newscentral.site/french-presidential-candidate-jean-luc-melenchon-gains-momentum-ahead/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-11-09T10:07:56.000Z updated: 2026-11-09T15:49:46.027Z id: cf693d31-7e01-4bbe-aa97-2c14a5b1db06 source: "ABC News International https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/fought-frances-half-century-now-mlenchons-presidential-bid-137966011" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/french-presidential-candidate-jean-luc-melenchon-gains-momentum-ahead/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # French Presidential Candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon Gains Momentum Ahead of Election Jean-Luc Mélenchon's campaign is gaining momentum as thousands of young supporters flock to his rallies. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, aged 75, is making his fourth bid for the French presidency in a bid to shake up the country's politics. His campaign has been gaining momentum, attracting thousands of young supporters who are eager for change. Mélenchon's rallies have become electric events, with youthful fans sporting his name on their backs and singing about revolution and social upheaval. These enthusiasts, some of whom have been actively involved in protests and blockades, are drawn to Mélenchon's promise of a fundamental transformation of the French republic. At a recent rally at Le Bourget, north of Paris, Mélenchon addressed a crowd of over 20,000 supporters with characteristic energy. He declared that "everything must change and unveiled his vision for a more equal society. Despite his advanced age, Mélenchon appears to be undaunted by the challenges ahead. Mélenchon's latest bid has been boosted by a surge in support, which has propelled him into contention with far-right leader Marine Le Pen. If he secures a place in the May 2 runoff, it could prove to be a double-edged sword: while success would bring Mélenchon closer to his goal of rewriting France's rules, defeat at the hands of Le Pen could inadvertently help the far right achieve its long-held ambition of capturing the Elysee Palace. Mélenchon's presidential bid has sparked concerns about its potential impact on global politics and economies. His plans to pull France out of NATO's military command could have far-reaching consequences for international relations, particularly given Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Critics argue that Mélenchon's policies are not only a threat to France's stability but also to the European Union as a whole. They point to his debt plans, which could put France at odds with Europe's central bank and rattle financial markets worldwide. This tension would be felt even if Trump remains in office. Mélenchon's detractors have also accused him of fostering unrest and antisemitism, as well as being dismissive of the police and press. Moreover, they claim he has been too lenient on Moscow, which could have serious implications for European security. Mélenchon vehemently rejects these charges. The showman's campaign events often resemble government briefings, where solutions to complex problems are presented in an engaging manner. His rallies, dubbed the Mélenshow, feature elaborate sets and multimedia presentations, such as the one held on Saturday where cameras captured the crowd while a film chronicled a woman's struggles. Mélenchon's presidential campaign has taken on a more personal tone in recent years, as he emphasizes his independence from other left-wing leaders. He pointed out that a 1972 rally featuring Socialist François Mitterrand and Communist Georges Marchais was attended by a shared stage, but noted that this time he is carrying the torch alone. The contrast between Mélenchon's current campaign style and those of past socialist leaders has been stark. For instance, when former President François Hollande held rallies in the same hall on his way to power, Mélenchon claimed they only managed to fill a third of the room. This boastful tone has drawn comparisons with US President Donald Trump, who is also known for exaggerating the size of his crowds. Some have criticized Mélenchon's leadership style as demanding blind loyalty from his followers and treating those who doubt him as traitors. This characterization was highlighted in a 2025 investigative book that shed light on the inner workings of his party. The violent protests that have gripped France in recent months have claimed another victim, leaving a community in mourning for Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old Frenchman of African descent who was shot dead last month. As the country struggles to come to terms with the rising tide of violence, Mélenchon has been at the forefront of the protests, embracing the high school movement that began in September and has since swept across France. The government's response has been criticized for being heavy-handed, with thousands of arrests made in an effort to quell the unrest. The protests have taken a darker turn in recent weeks, with cost-of-living demonstrations turning to looting and arson in over 20 cities. In Limoges, rioters set fire to the historic City Hall, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Mélenchon has denied that his party was involved in organizing the protests. The French political landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with traditional parties like the Socialists and Republicans struggling to maintain relevance. The two parties combined won just 6.5% of the first-round presidential vote in 2022, highlighting the growing disillusionment with mainstream politics. As Mélenchon vies for the presidency, he faces stiff competition from other candidates, including center-right former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, who is seeking to unite the center and prevent a runoff between the extremes. If the center can regroup and present a united front, it could potentially deny Le Pen and Mélenchon a place in the final round of voting. Mélenchon's presidential bid is built around a sweeping reform agenda that has captivated young voters in France. His program is an ambitious blueprint for change, comprising over 1,000 points that aim to transform various aspects of French society. A key plank of his platform is the introduction of a new constitution, one that would replace the Fifth Republic established by Charles de Gaulle in 1958. To draft this new charter, Mélenchon proposes forming a special assembly of citizens who are not currently lawmakers. This assembly would then present its proposal to voters for their approval. Mélenchon's vision for France also includes significant changes to the country's electoral system and the role of ordinary citizens in shaping policy. Under his plan, people would be able to gather signatures to force votes on laws, constitutional amendments, or even the removal of a sitting president between elections. The crowd's defiant anthem La Marseillaise" echoed through the hall as Jean-Luc Mélenchon rallied his supporters, drawing on their collective sense of indignation and frustration. He reminded them that Emmanuel Macron had declared them nothing, leaving them with a stark choice: to be everything they can be. In this pivotal moment, Mélenchon's unyielding stance may ultimately hand power to the far-right forces he has spent decades opposing. --- Source: [ABC News International](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/fought-frances-half-century-now-mlenchons-presidential-bid-137966011) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/french-presidential-candidate-jean-luc-melenchon-gains-momentum-ahead/