Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed (LFI) party have formed an unexpected alliance to challenge President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64. This partnership aims to dismantle Macron’s controversial policy, which has faced widespread public opposition and led to significant protests.
Macron’s use of presidential powers to implement the reform without a parliamentary majority has been a point of contention. The reform contradicts pro-immigration arguments suggesting that migrants would sustain the welfare system as the native population ages. Instead, many argue that the influx of migrants has failed to alleviate the financial strain on social security.
RN lawmaker Loiret Thomas Ménagé expressed support for the leftist proposal to repeal the pension changes. “The only majority available on this text is with the deputies of the RN group. The repeal of the pension reform is also part of our program,” he stated.
Marine Le Pen announced plans to introduce similar legislation later this year, emphasizing the RN’s stance on social justice. “We will then see who will be on the side of social justice… or not!” she said.
Despite historically opposing RN-led initiatives, France’s establishment and left-wing parties are now seeing an alignment on this issue. This collaboration reflects a broader dissatisfaction with Macron’s administration and its policies. The RN has shown a willingness to support measures from other parties if they align with their vision for France.
As the political landscape in France shifts, the alliance between Le Pen’s right-wing party and Mélenchon’s far-left faction underscores the deepening divisions over Macron’s policies and highlights the potential for new political dynamics in the country.