The Front de Gauche (Left Front), an electoral coalition on the left, made a strong showing in the French Presidential election first round on Sunday 22 April. It secured 11.1 per cent of the vote, with more than 3.9 million votes. Its candidate, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, led a dynamic campaign which drew large enthusiastic crowds to its rallies. He issued the following statement (on 23 April) following the announcement of the results.
Français
‘3 985 298 citoyens et citoyennes ont voté hier pour un programme révolutionnaire, qui ouvre la voie à une nouvelle République. Des millions de gens sont revenus vers la politique, des millions de consciences se sont élevées à la hauteur des enjeux de notre époque, des millions de visages et de voix se sont unies pour
soutenir à nouveau les principes du partage. Ces élections n’étaient qu’une étape : nous en sommes la seule force neuve, et notre élan est immense.La politique du pire n’amène que le pire. Battons-nous sans faiblir contre Sarkozy ! Car sa lutte violente contre les travailleurs va se durcir, et que l’Europe entière nous regarde. Certes, il est plus facile de s’en prendre aux pauvres et aux immigrés qu’aux banques et à la finance : mais le travail d’éducation populaire que nous avons mené rayonne déjà dans toute la société.Prenez les rues le 1er mai, suivez les syndicats ! La révolution citoyenne poursuit son cours, inexorable. Et l’Histoire vient à notre rencontre. Inéluctablement. Nous, on ne lâchera rien !’
English translation
‘Yesterday 3,985,298 citizens voted for a revolutionary new political program, which points the way to a new Republic. Millions of people returned to politics, millions of consciences were raised up to the challenges of our time, millions of faces and voices united in support of the principle of sharing. These elections were only a first step: we alone are a new force and our momentum is huge. The politics of the worst just brings worse. Let’s fight on unabated against Sarkozy because his violent struggle against working people is deepening, and the whole of Europe is watching us.
Of course, it is easier to blame the poor and immigrants than the banks and finance: but the work of popular education that we undertook is already radiating throughout society.
Take to the streets on May 1st, follow the unions! The citizen’s revolution is pursuing its inexorable course. And history is coming to meet us. Inevitably.
And we will not give up anything.’
Chart of the results
To view the electoral strength of the different parties across the regions visit here.