Mélenchon launches 2027 presidential bid with mass rally in Saint-Denis, declares left-wing primary 'finished'
Jean-Luc Mélenchon held his first major campaign rally in Saint-Denis on Sunday, presenting himself as the only viable left-wing candidate to face the far-right National Rally in France's 2027 presidential election.
A show of force in Saint-Denis
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the founder of La France insoumise (LFI), formally launched his fourth presidential campaign on Sunday with a large outdoor rally in Saint-Denis, a Paris suburb. The event took place on Place Victor Hugo, between the town hall (now led by LFI mayor Bally Bagayoko) and the Basilica of Saint-Denis. LFI estimated that nearly 26,000 people attended the gathering, which was described by multiple outlets as an impressive crowd.
'The primary is finished'
Mélenchon used the rally to pressure the rest of the French left, which remains divided over the question of a unified primary. He declared that the primary was "finished" and that LFI had earned the right to lead the fight against the National Rally.
It is we [LFI] who have won the honour of marching in the front line.
Attacking the National Rally
A central theme of the speech was a sharp attack on the National Rally (RN) and its president, Jordan Bardella. Mélenchon accused the RN of promoting "supremacism," which he defined as a desire to establish a human hierarchy by dividing people along ethnic and religious lines. He specifically criticised Bardella's proposal to abolish birthright citizenship, calling it an "anti-national crime."
In this emerging chaos, a new political project is taking root, amid the wars in the Middle East and Trumpism: this is what must be called supremacism, that is, a desire to establish a human hierarchy to dominate peoples by dividing them along ethnic and religious lines. In France, supremacism is championed by the RN.
Policy proposals for a 'New France'
Mélenchon outlined several key policy priorities under his vision of a "New France." He promised a strong focus on ecological planning, including a change to the agricultural model and a ban on carcinogenic pollutants. On the economy, he pledged to raise the minimum wage (SMIC) to 1,700 euros and to restore the right to retire at 60 or with 40 years of contributions. He also called for a restructuring of the social security system's finances, moving away from the "social VAT" imposed by Emmanuel Macron's governments.
Territorial and media reforms
On territorial issues, Mélenchon promised to accompany Corsica towards extended autonomy and stated that New Caledonia "will go towards independence." He also launched a lengthy attack on media concentration, vowing that his first legislative act would be a law to dismantle media and cultural trusts. He specifically called on supporters to "zap Bolloré," referencing conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré's influence in the cultural sector.
The path to 2027
Mélenchon's rally is the opening move in a campaign where he seeks to position himself as the main challenger to the far right. By declaring the left-wing primary over and drawing a direct line of confrontation with the RN, he aims to consolidate support early and frame the election as a binary choice between his movement and that of Marine Le Pen's political heir.
