‘Radical’ or ‘hero’?: France debates leftist candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, has become the strongest left-wing contender and a possible challenger to Marine Le Pen in next year’s presidential election. At a rally in Le Bourget on Saturday, he presented proposals including lowering the retirement age to 60, raising the monthly minimum wage to 1,700 euros, leaving NATO and renationalising parts of the economy. He also wants the European Central Bank to turn the French debt it holds into a permanent, interest-free loan, while keeping France in the EU but rejecting rules that conflict with national programmes. His party is gaining momentum amid student-led protests over failing public services, living costs and uncertain futures; supporters hail him as a hero, while opponents call him radical or despotic.