Jean-Luc Mélenchon has unveiled his programme for France's 2027 presidential election at a rally in Le Bourget, north of Paris. The 75-year-old leader of France Unbowed (LFI) set out his economic plans before some 17,000 supporters, the campaign said. His manifesto, "L'Avenir en commun" ("A Shared Future"), is a 222-page book published on Friday, the fifth edition of the party's programme. It follows weeks of protests over living costs and public services, with nearly 200 marches held nationwide on Thursday.

Retirement at 60 and a higher minimum wage

Among the flagship pledges is the repeal of President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, which gradually raised France's minimum retirement age from 62 to 64. Mélenchon's party would restore retirement at 60 for people who have contributed to the system for 40 years. It would raise the net monthly minimum wage to €1,700, from around €1,480, freeze prices, index wages to inflation, abolish the flat tax on capital income, raise taxes on the wealthiest and cap prices for essential foods. Mélenchon said stimulus would work through consumer spending — more than half of economic activity — and by channelling existing savings towards ecological and social needs.

NATO exit and the polling picture

On foreign policy, it repeats his long-standing criticism of NATO and calls for gradual withdrawal, starting with an exit from its integrated military command. "We have no business being in NATO, nor in American wars," he told supporters, adding that France must build a global front of non-aligned countries. It also backs phasing out nuclear power for fully renewable electricity, including scrapping the planned EPR2 reactor programme. Polls put him second: Ifop-Fiducial gave him 17.5 percent, behind Marine Le Pen on 36 to 37 percent, with surveys suggesting he could reach next April's runoff but lose it.

[Source: Devdiscourse (Reuters syndication)](https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/4003359-french-presidential-hopeful-melenchonpledges-economic-stimulus-renews-nato-exit-call) | [Source: Dispatch Times](https://dispatchtimes.com/france-weighs-melenchons-polarising-appeal-on-the-left/)