Legislative 2022 © FMM graphic studio

"The idea was not to lead to an ideological fusion", affirmed Jean-Luc Mélenchon from the outset, Thursday, May 19, during the presentation of the program of the New Popular Ecological and Social Union (Nupes) for the legislative elections of 12 and 19 June.

"We could not, within the timeframe that was ours, and after such a long time of absence of debate, agree on everything", he explained, but the will was to "do better than a few measures , which would have reduced our union to a pure electoral cartel".

>> To read also: "Legislative 2022: an alliance which marks a historic turn for the left"

The leader of La France insoumise (LFI), but also the national secretary of Europe Écologie-Les Verts (EELV) Julien Bayou, the first secretary of the Socialist Party (PS) Olivier Faure and the representative of the Communist Party (PCF) Ian Brossat - the national secretary of the party, Fabien Roussel, was retained in his constituency - all had at heart to respond to the criticisms qualifying their alliance as a "union of facade" and accusing in particular socialists and ecologists of having "sold their soul for a dish lentils".

By presenting 650 proposals, including retirement at 60, the Smic at 1,500 euros, the blocking of the prices of basic necessities, the restoration of the solidarity tax on wealth (ISF), the reimbursement of all care prescribed at 100% or the creation of a million jobs thanks to the investment in the ecological bifurcation, the allies of Nupes wanted to insist on what brings them together.

"We agree on the essentials!", Hammered Ian Brossat.

"Some will say that all of this is not possible, but the history of the left is to have made possible things that were presented as impossible the day before" @faureolivier#ProgrammeNUPES#NUPES#UnionPopulaire pic.twitter .com/LSkgJpb6bG

— New Popular Ecological and Social Union ✌️ (@NUPES_2022_) May 19, 2022

"We have a shared program and we are not moving forward hidden," said Olivier Faure.

"The idea is not to align with each other. I insist on the substance. (…) We have the will together to be a left of transformation", he continued, recalling that "the whole history of the left is to have made possible things which were presented as impossible".

The Nupes did not try to hide the 33 points on which there are "nuances", such as the exit from NATO, nuclear power or nationalizations, which represent, according to its representatives, "5% of the total of the proposals".

All the differences between LFI, EELV, PS and PCF are thus listed at the bottom of each chapter of the program presented Thursday morning a few steps from the headquarters of La France insoumise in Paris.

"Re-parliamentarization" of political life rather than "hyper-presidentialization"

On the contrary, Jean-Luc Mélenchon wishes to make these disagreements a strength by advocating parliamentary debate and the vote of deputies to settle them.

This program is part "in a process of re-parliamentarization" of French political life, he insisted, in contrast with the "hyper-presidentialization" of Emmanuel Macron, of which he criticized a lack of program.

This is the case with nuclear energy, defended by the Communists.

"This is a good example, commented the rebellious leader. We are not asking anyone to abandon their positions."

On the one hand, you have a non-program and the continuity of hyper-presidentialization, with the Macronists.

And on the other side, a democratic breath of the country with the #ProgrammeNUPES, make your choice on June 12th and 19th.

pic.twitter.com/FosdzyWLIz

— Jean-Luc Melenchon (@JLMelenchon) May 19, 2022

Regarding NATO, which Jean-Luc Mélenchon wants to leave, "I can see that my point of view is not shared today", he explained.

"I would be remiss to make a coup (...) because it would prevent the union from being made".

But, he underlined by placing the question in the context of a cohabitation with Emmanuel Macron, "no decision concerning the exit of NATO would be ratified by the president, therefore, the question is null and void. ".

On Europe, finally, the text states that the signatories are "ready not to respect European rules - disobey for some, derogate temporarily for others - when they are in contradiction with the application" of the program.

>> To read also: "Disobedience to the European treaties: for better or for worse?"

In total, the Nupes project provides 250 billion in expenditure for 267 billion in revenue.

Its defenders hope to generate an additional 163 billion euros thanks to "a fairer tax", 52 billion under the fight against fraud and tax evasion, and another 52 billion "thanks to the jobs created and the increase in the consumption".

According to an Elabe poll for BFMTV, L'Express and SFR published on Wednesday, Nupes (27.5% of voting intentions in the first round on June 12) is ahead of the presidential camp Together!

(27%), which would however keep its majority at the Bourbon Palace, according to the projections of this same poll, at the end of the second round on June 19.

With AFP and Reuters

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