Ouassima Dive, a 44-year-old childcare worker, came "to make up the numbers to show those who think that Macron is bound to win that it may not be a foregone conclusion."

The rebellious tribune was organizing his third "march for the Sixth Republic", after those of his candidacies in 2012 and 2017. As the event approached, the rebellious executives had been cautious, "after a pandemic", on the possibility of equaling the 120,000 people gathered in 2017.

The organization announced this time "more than 100,000 people", on a place of the Republic partly filled.

Dedicating the meeting to the Ukrainian people "in resistance", Jean-Luc Mélenchon took on his most solemn accents to explain: "Here comes the hour of the Sixth Republic. It will be the work of a constituent assembly, elected by people who will never have been elected, and not by a small committee of experts".

Jean-Luc Mélenchon (C), presidential candidate of the "La France Insoumise" (LFI) party, gives a speech during his traditional presidential march, in Paris, on March 20, 2022 Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP

This assembly would work for two years, and at the same time the government appointed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon would apply the rest of its program.

"It is the writing of another rule of the game, an incentive to reinvest in the life of the country", affirmed the Insoumis, citing in particular the referendum of citizens' initiative (RIC) and the "revocatory referendum" .

For him, compared to 1958 and the beginning of the Fifth Republic, "it's another French people who are there", more "urban", "connected", "a people proud and happy to be already creolized".

"Something in the Air"

But despite the theme of the day, the "social referendum", which is in his eyes this presidential election, occupied the majority of his speech.

"By choosing the Popular Union in the first round, you are making a social choice. Yes, this vote is a social referendum, you have been warned!", Jean-Luc Mélenchon claimed.

Demonstrators wave flags and placards during the traditional presidential march organized by Jean-Luc Mélenchon in Paris, March 20, 2022 Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP

"Choose, decide, retirement at 65 with Macron, or retirement at 60 with Mélenchon," he said.

The leader of the Insoumis also vilified certain measures of the Macron five-year term, such as the "22 laws affecting freedoms" or even "the destruction of the labor code from 2017".

And to plead for several “social emergency” measures such as the blocking of prices, the minimum wage at 1,400 euros net or even a youth guarantee of 1,063 euros.

Mr. Mélenchon relied on this "urgency" to put the pressure of the useful vote on the voters of the left, as well as on the abstainers.

"Do not hide behind the differences between leaders, it is you who make the decision, do not hide", exclaimed the deputy, speaking of "moral responsibility".

The tribune became lyrical when speaking of the spring equinox which occurred during his speech, at 4.33 p.m.: "The sun has conquered, and will overcome darkness tomorrow. On April 10, it is up to you to make the springtime of the people".

At the beginning of the afternoon, surrounded by his main lieutenants - including the free electron François Ruffin - he had taken the lead of the procession which had set off from the Place de la Bastille, under the chants of "Mélenchon president" and "We will win".

Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his main lieutenants during his traditional presidential march in Paris, March 20, 2022 Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP

Some signs chanted "The Sixth Republic is me", and participants were impatient with humor: "Where is the presidential palace?"

A disarticulated puppet representing Emmanuel Macron was also thrown into the air by means of an improvised trampoline sheet.

"There is something in the air", "the second round is within reach", savored Jean-Luc Mélenchon in front of the press.

© 2022 AFP