PES President, Stefan Löfven, welcomed the agreement of a New Popular Front against the far right, signed by Parti socialiste-Place publique and the other forces of the French left. With 40% of votes in France just cast for the far right at the European elections on 9 June, the risk of a far-right victory is real.
Parti socialiste and Place publique, together with the other forces of the French left, have put forward a joint programme for social and environmental action over the next two years, pro-European, built on wage increases, a speeding up of the green transition, investment in public services, unconditional support for Ukraine and a renewed fight against antisemitism and all forms of racism.
PES President Stefan Lövfen said:
“There is an imminent risk of the far right coming to power through the ballot box.
“By building a common platform of hope, progress and tolerance with the New Popular Front, I commend Parti socialiste leader Olivier Faure and the head of the Parti socialiste-Place publique European list Raphaël Glucksmann for taking responsibility in the fight for democratic values, social justice and climate action and wish them every success in the forthcoming elections.”
In 1936, faced with rising violence and anti-republican activity by far-right paramilitary groups, socialists, communists and progressives set aside their differences and joined forces with the trade unions to form the Popular Front. With the socialist leader Léon Blum as prime minister, the Popular Front dissolved the far-right groups, instituted the 40-hour work week and created the first paid holidays.
