Highly applauded by the approximately 2,000 people present, according to his team, he also proposed to put "under public control" the for-profit nursing homes and to establish "equal pay for women and men in one year".

"When you listen to the Macron, the Zemmour, the Le Pen, they are different but they have a common program (...): they listen to the Medef", he launched, under the cheers of the crowd brandishing red flags, without completely filling the Halle aux grains, a concert hall in downtown Toulouse with 2,200 seats.

"When the Medef speaks, they execute. It is time for cigars to change their mouths (...) It is no longer the Medef that will dictate the policy of France!".

For the communist candidate, credited with around 4% of voting intentions in the polls, "it has come time to give power back to those who work and who want to live with dignity from their work", with "a real salary " and "no bonuses", because "bonuses are depressing!".

The bonuses are also "at the head of the client" and "it does not contribute to Social Security or retirement".

Otherwise, say "it's a scam!".

Fabien Roussel therefore wants to "increase wages for all".

"And we will achieve equal pay for women and men in a year's time", again launched to applause the communist candidate, for whom "the time for respect and dignity has come".

"Yes, we say that it is possible to eradicate unemployment and poverty through work. Unemployment is those who have been in power for 40 years who created it," he continued, pinning Emmanuel Macron's proposal to condition the RSA to around fifteen hours of activity.

He also proposed "recognition for our retirees", in particular with a minimum pension of 1,200 euros and the end of "these overpriced Ehpad more ready to force-feed shareholders than to feed their residents".

"No more for-profit nursing homes. No more vulture funds that make butter on our elders. They will pass under public control, in a large public service of old age", he further hammered.

"It gives fishing!" Reacted after the meeting Jeanne Jimenez, 69, a "daughter of a Spanish Republican" who made her "first campaign with Jacques Duclos" communist candidate for president in 1969.

"I have always voted for the left but I have never voted communist", explains Dominique Valmary, 72 years old.

"Fabien Roussel is very good in substance and form. It will be the first time that I will vote communist".

© 2022 AFP