Increase in the minimum wage, retirement at 60, energy, health, education… Find out in detail the key measures of the New Popular Front program before the second round of legislative elections on July 7, 2024.
The New Popular Front (NFP), composed of several left-wing parties (including the Socialist Party (PS), the French Communist Party (PCF), La France insoumise (LFI), Europe écologie Les Verts (EELV)) was formed urgently the day after the dissolution of the National Assembly by Emmanuel Macron. Coming in second place in the first round of the legislative elections, with 27.99% of the vote according to the official results revealed by the Ministry of the Interior, the left-wing coalition is behind the National Rally (RN) and the LR allies who obtained 33.15%, and ahead of the presidential camp whose score barely exceeds 20%.
Everything will now happen in the second round of the legislative elections this Sunday, July 7, 2024, with the aim for the united left to obtain a maximum number of seats in the future National Assembly, and to face the RN by preventing them from obtaining an absolute majority.
In a complete 24-page program (to be found here), the New Popular Front intends to “respond to the emergencies” of the French. This program intends to counter, in substance and at the ballot box, the National Rally, which appeared to be the big winner in the European elections of June 9 and in the first round of the legislative elections, but also to create a break with the economic policy pursued for seven years by the presidential party.
Among the priorities, there is of course purchasing power with the increase in the minimum wage or the reduction of energy bills, education, pensions, ecology, the international situation, transport, health or even security, etc. Here are the key measures explained in detail that the NFP intends to put in place in the event of victory in the legislative elections.
Increasing purchasing power, a priority in the NFP program
The New Popular Front aims to “respond to the emergencies that are undermining the lives and confidence of the French people”. Among the measures that must be implemented in favor of purchasing power if the union of the left wins, we find:
- The increase in the minimum wage to 1600 euros net;
- The increase in the minimum old-age pension to the poverty threshold;
- Increase in interns’ allowances;
- The increase in salaries for apprentices and work-study students;
- Indexation of wages to inflation;
- The increase in the AAH at the level of the minimum wage;
- The 10% increase in APL
- The freezing of prices for basic necessities: food, energy and fuel for mainland France, but also in the overseas territories. The New Popular Front wants to do this “by decree”, within the first 15 days.
A goal to reduce energy bills
- Removal of the 10% tax on energy bills;
- Cancellation of planned gas price increase;
- Free first kWh of electricity;
- But also the end of electricity and gas cuts.
Pensions, a flagship measure of the New Popular Front program
The New Popular Front makes it a priority.
- Repeal of Macron’s pension reform;
- Return to retirement at 60;
- Restore the hardship factors;
- Take the RSA into account when calculating quarters;
- Index the amount of pensions to salaries;
- The establishment of contributions on overtime, dividends, profit sharing, employee savings or even share buybacks;
- The gradual increase in old-age contributions;
- A modulation of employer social security contributions;
- The creation of a supplementary contribution for retirement on high salaries.
A “major health law” in the first 100 days
- Rebuild the public hospital.
- Put an end to medical deserts by regulating the installation of doctors in medical deserts.
- Restoration of on-call care for independent caregivers in health centers.
- Combating drug shortages.
- But also, a ban on all PFAS for all uses, not just for kitchen utensils.
Measures for education
- Towards completely free education (canteen, supplies, transport, after-school activities);
- Maximum of 19 students per class;
- Meals for 1 euro at Crous.
- Abolish Parcoursup.
On the international level, an agreement has been reached: “the urgency of peace”
The left alliance was highly anticipated on international issues. They took a position on the two sensitive issues of Ukraine and Israel/Gaza with the following main measures:
- Maintain arms deliveries to Ukraine;
- Defend the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people;
- “Act for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza” and put an end to the “guilty support” of the “French government for the far-right supremacist government of Netanyahu.”
- Help for “the release of hostages held since the Hamas terrorist massacres”, but also for the release of Palestinian political prisoners.
- Recognize the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel on the basis of UN resolutions;
- Provide sanctions against the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu, as long as it fails to respect international law in Gaza and the West Bank.
Regarding the European Union:
- The New Popular Front calls for an end to free trade agreements such as CETA.
- Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Measures for the environment
Ecology is also an important point of the program presented by the new alliance. On this point, the New Popular Front has planned several measures in its program with:
- A moratorium on mega-basins;
- Improving the quality of watercourses;
- Request a contribution from industrialists for the decontamination of water tables and soils.
- A new climate law;
- The establishment of the green rule (not taking more from nature than it can replenish);
- Accelerating the renovation of public buildings;
- Strengthening French and European renewable energy production sectors;
- Development of offshore wind and hydroelectric energy;
- Or the refusal of the merger of ASN and IRSN and the privatization of hydroelectric dams;
- Regarding pesticides: ban on glyphosate and neonicotinoids;
- Support for the organic sector and agroecology.
The objective of the left-wing union is clearly stated: to aim for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Measures for public services
Public services are often the big forgotten ones in the programs. Here are the main proposals of the NFP:
- An increase in staff numbers in public schools, public hospitals, health and social services, justice, but also in state services and agencies.
- Salary revaluation.
Measures to promote public transport
- Moratorium on major highway infrastructure projects and therefore stop all construction of this type.
- The same applies to the closure of small railway lines.
- For daily travel, the creation of regional express services is proposed.
- VAT reduction to 5.5% in public transport, a sector in which the parties are committed to “guaranteeing affordable fares” and introducing targeted free transport measures.