A Workers’ International Network meeting 8th May 2022
(4) PERSPECTIVES FOR FRANCE A Workers’ International Network meeting 8th May 2022 – YouTube
SPEAKERS – Olivier Delbeke a CGT trade unionist and member of the editorial board of Arguments Pour la Lutte Sociale (aplutsoc.org) – and – Sylvan Savier previously an international representative of Melenchon’s former Parti de Gauche, an activist of the European Left and a member of the National Union of Education. After five years of violent anti-social attacks by Macron and his government, the presidential elections of 10th and 24th April in France resulted in his re-election, in the context of a new rise in support for the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and the achievement of a substantial vote in the first round by the left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon. However, it would be a mistake to consider only the scores of these three candidates and overlook the growing number of voters who opted to abstain or to cast a blank vote to signify their rejection of all the policies on offer. Now the legislative elections of June 12th and 19th have become the focus of attention. Can support for Mélenchon and his Union Populaire allow the left to become a significant minority, or even a parliamentary majority in opposition to Macron? What can we expect from Mélenchon’s leadership? A revival of the left, or a shift towards populism? Macron is actively preparing his offensive against the working class by raising the retirement age to 65. Will this lead to a decisive mobilisation of the trade unions? As France emerges from Macron’s final term even more divided and socially polarised, and as inflation soars, how much social strife can we expect? Can Macron’s regime succeed?