Mélenchon proposes scrapping France's constitution in 2027 presidential bid
The 75-year-old leftist leader plans to replace the Fifth Republic with a new framework written by a citizen assembly, a move that could reshape French fiscal policy and foreign alliances.
By Grace Almasi ·
Jean-Luc Mélenchon told a crowd of 20,000 supporters in Le Bourget on Saturday that he intends to replace France's current constitution. The 75-year-old leader, running for president for the fourth time, outlined a plan to dismantle the political system established by Charles de Gaulle in 1958. He described the move as the only sensible proposal he has, arguing that every aspect of the republic requires a total overhaul.
His platform includes reducing the voting age to 16 and returning the retirement age to 60. The proposal also mandates higher taxes on the wealthy and imposes a moratorium on the development of artificial intelligence. These economic measures sit alongside a broader goal of increasing public debt to fund social programs, a strategy that could strain relations with the European Central Bank.
Mélenchon seeks to remove France from NATO military command, starting with the nation's role as the European Union's only nuclear power. He wants to shift France's foreign policy away from traditional transatlantic alliances. Critics argue that these moves would destabilize markets and complicate Europe's defense posture against Russia's war in Ukraine.
The plan centers on a special assembly of citizens, excluding current legislators, to draft a new constitution. This document would then be submitted to voters for approval. Between general elections, ordinary French citizens would be able to collect signatures to force votes on repealing laws, amending the constitution, or even removing a sitting president from office.
Mélenchon's campaign relies heavily on support from young people and suburban districts, particularly in Seine-Saint-Denis, the poorest department in metropolitan France. He has aligned himself with student protests over school conditions and cost-of-living riots that have spread to more than 20 cities. His rivals, including Marine Le Pen and former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, are working to prevent a second-round runoff between the two extreme ends of the political spectrum.
If Mélenchon reaches the final vote on May 2, 2027, he faces a binary outcome. A loss to Le Pen would hand power to the far right, a result he has spent decades opposing. A victory would place a leader who describes himself as a socialist at the head of a state with nuclear weapons and a major economy. The former prime minister Édouard Philippe is also vying for the nomination, aiming to unite the center to block the leftist candidate.
The campaign has drawn comparisons to the political style of Donald Trump, with local officials labeling Mélenchon the left-wing version of the U.S. president. Supporters wear shirts with the number 27, referencing the year of the next election. The rally in Le Bourget featured a musical performance and a film depicting social struggles, mirroring the theatrical nature of his past events.
