Around 75,000 people marched in Paris against the Rassemblement National, according to the Ministry of the Interior, while the CGT estimates that 250,000 demonstrators took part in the capital

A large-scale mobilisation. Nearly 250,000 people protested against the far right in France, in response to a call from five trade unions, associations and left-wing parties belonging to the New Popular Front, according to the Ministry of the Interior on Saturday 15 June.

In Paris, around 75,000 demonstrators were counted by the Ministry, while the CGT put the figure at 640,000 demonstrators across the country, including 250,000 in Paris.

On the sidelines of this demonstration, which was quite large all in all, François Hollande confirmed his candidacy

François Hollande confirmed his candidacy for the legislative elections in Corrèze at a press briefing, underlining the exceptional nature of a former president standing for re-election in a constituency.

“I consider the situation to be particularly serious, more so than ever before”, he said to justify his decision to stand

For François Hollande, “the danger posed by the far right is now obvious”, he said at his press briefing. He justified his candidacy for the legislative elections by stating that “the far right has never been so close to power since the Liberation”.

The former French President also deplored the “worrying political confusion” that has prevailed for several days. He therefore appealed for civic responsibility.

François Hollande, candidate in the legislative elections in the first constituency of Corrèze, sets out his priorities: “My first commitment is to the Republic.”

“It is crucial to return to fair tax justice, in particular by reinstating the wealth tax,” says the former president, adding, “It is also essential to support wage earners who have seen their purchasing power decline in recent years.”

François Hollande also addressed the issue of the retirement age: “I myself introduced a reform allowing people to retire at 60 for long careers with 42 years of contributions. I stand by that proposal.

Lastly, the former President emphasised the importance of “the schools of the Republic” and expressed his commitment to the Corrèze region, which occupies a central place in his priorities.

For his part, Jean-Luc Mélenchon said that the post of Prime Minister was not an existential issue for him. Asked by 20 minutes about his prospects after Garrido, Corbière and Simonnet were not nominated, the LFI founder said he was not looking to build a career.

“For me, Matignon is not an existential concern. I’m not here to build a career”, emphasised Jean-Luc Mélenchon

He also highlighted the leadership skills within La France insoumise: “We have competent leaders. When Léon Blum became head of government in 1936, he didn’t have the level of Manuel Bompard, Mathilde Panot or Clémence Guetté, even though he was an art critic and Marxist leader within the Socialist Party.”