Paris: French far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon on Sunday threw his support behind the nationwide high school protest movement that has shaken France, telling thousands of supporters at a campaign rally that he would lower the voting age to 16 and end selective admission to universities.
The fiery anti-capitalist used the speech to kick his campaign into high gear ahead of next year's two-round presidential election in April and May. He also took aim at US President Donald Trump, NATO and the global financial system in a sweeping address, according to the Associated Press.
A turning-point election
President Emmanuel Macron is finishing his second term and cannot run again, making next year's vote a turning point for France and Europe. France is the EU's only nuclear power, its second-biggest economy and a linchpin of the shared euro currency zone.
At this stage, polls suggest Mélenchon and center-right candidate Édouard Philippe trail far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, but sit ahead of a range of other hopefuls.
Schools at the heart of the unrest
The high school protest movement centers on deteriorating school buildings, teacher shortages and inequalities hurting schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods. It has energized young voters who may prove key to the election outcome. The movement has at times turned violent, and police have made more than 6,600 arrests, with hundreds injured, including students, teachers and police.
Mélenchon's critics say he and his France Unbowed party are fueling the unrest for electoral gain. Mélenchon says his party is not organizing the movement and wants it to remain peaceful.
Socialists choose Glucksmann
Also on Sunday, France's Socialists and allied voters chose European Parliament lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann as their presidential candidate in a primary election marred by a cyberattack and divisions within the mainstream left.
Sources:
France's far-left presidential candidate cheers Gen Z school protests — Manila Times (AP)
France's far-left presidential candidate cheers Gen Z school protests — Japan Today (AP)
The fiery anti-capitalist used the speech to kick his campaign into high gear ahead of next year's two-round presidential election in April and May. He also took aim at US President Donald Trump, NATO and the global financial system in a sweeping address, according to the Associated Press.
A turning-point election
President Emmanuel Macron is finishing his second term and cannot run again, making next year's vote a turning point for France and Europe. France is the EU's only nuclear power, its second-biggest economy and a linchpin of the shared euro currency zone.
At this stage, polls suggest Mélenchon and center-right candidate Édouard Philippe trail far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, but sit ahead of a range of other hopefuls.
Schools at the heart of the unrest
The high school protest movement centers on deteriorating school buildings, teacher shortages and inequalities hurting schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods. It has energized young voters who may prove key to the election outcome. The movement has at times turned violent, and police have made more than 6,600 arrests, with hundreds injured, including students, teachers and police.
Mélenchon's critics say he and his France Unbowed party are fueling the unrest for electoral gain. Mélenchon says his party is not organizing the movement and wants it to remain peaceful.
Socialists choose Glucksmann
Also on Sunday, France's Socialists and allied voters chose European Parliament lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann as their presidential candidate in a primary election marred by a cyberattack and divisions within the mainstream left.
Sources:
France's far-left presidential candidate cheers Gen Z school protests — Manila Times (AP)
France's far-left presidential candidate cheers Gen Z school protests — Japan Today (AP)
