The four major left-wing parties in France have decided to create the "Popular Front" (NPF) to run in the election and turn this into a "new chapter in the history of France.

The four major left-wing parties in France have decided to create the "Popular Front" (NPF) to run in the election and turn this into a "new chapter in the history of France." Together, they will campaign on a joint platform, fielding a single candidate in each constituency. Following several challenging days of negotiations, the Socialist Party (PS), Greens, Communists, and France Unbowed (LFI), led by the hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon, said that they had achieved an agreement and will unveil their manifestos later on Friday. After forming the alliance Mélenchon took to social media to write “warmest congratulations and thanks to our negotiators who had four sleepless nights deciding the programme and candidates". According to the coalition politicians, the agreed-upon objectives include reducing the retirement age, which President Emmanuel Macron raised in an unpopular move last year, indexing salaries to inflation, and imposing a wealth tax on the wealthy. According to polls, the NPF, a reprise of the Nupes left-green coalition created for France's 2022 parliamentary elections, is unlikely to defeat Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN), which has about 33% of the vote. Also read: Reform UK overtakes PM Sunak's Conservatives in opinion poll Macron announced snap polls in France last Sunday, following his list's defeat in the European elections to the RN, which managed to earn less than half of the far-right party's total. The elections will take place over two rounds on June 30 and July 7. After its president, Éric Ciotti announced a surprising alliance with RN, infighting has persisted inside the center-right Les Républicains, the party of former presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy. This led the other party leaders to vote Ciotti out on Wednesday. However, he claimed the next day that he was still party leader, dismissing the effort to remove him as unlawful "quibbles, little battles by mediocre people... who understand nothing". Ciotti declared that he was contesting the legitimacy of his opponents' vote in court and referred to it as a "takeover" effort. Later on Friday, a Paris tribunal would review the matter, legal sources told Agence France-Presse. (With inputs from agencies)

Major left-wing parties in France form 'Popular Front' to challenge Macron in snap polls

Why France’s parliamentary elections are important to Macron

Tens of thousands of people participated in a protest against the French president Emmanuel Macron's public sector reforms on Saturday.

People from the far left party, General Confederation of Labour trade union and various other 60 organisations participated in the marches and rallies held across France.

Reuters reported that citing General Confederation of Labour that 80,000 people participated in the protest in Paris and 250,000 came out nationwide.

However, the Police has said that only 21,000 people came for the protest.

The clashes between forces and demonstrators were also reported during the protest

Dozens of hooded demonstrators pelted bottles at police to which authorities responded with tear gas. Seven officers got hurt in the clashes.

Thirty five demonstrators were reportedly detained for various offences including carrying arms and vandalising public property.

The protestors of various unions, opposition parties and other groups protesting against the public sector reforms proposed by Emmanuel Macron as they believe that it favours more to the rich ones.

However, Mcron's has said that he "will not stop the progress" to the people demonstrating while he was in Russia.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far left France Unbowed party has listed various grievances like staff shortages in hospitals, limited admissions at the universities and lack of police in tough neighbourhoods to which the government has said that it does not have the means to fund them, Reuters reported.

Saturday's march are following the series strikes called by public sector employees from April.

Protesters are expected to hold rallies in at least 160 places across France, General Confederation of Labour&nbspSecretary General Philippe Martinez said, adding that Macron should listen to the growing anger.

Emmanuel Macron is under fire since the start of the year for his new reforms.

In April he made a controversial proposal to privatise its debt-ridden SNCF railway company. The proposal face strikes from rail workers, students and civil servants.

The state-owned railway firm which operates most of the railway network of France is currently on the decline. It is reportedly under dept of €45 billion.

Parliament's lower house also passed a reform bill in April under which special employment benefits including job-for life guarantee and early retirement were scrapped.

A new bill was also designed to tighten France’s immigration and asylum policies.

(With inputs from news agencies) 
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People from the far left party, General Confederation of Labour trade union and various other 60 organisations participated in the marches and rallies held across France

Tens of thousands of people participated in a protest against the French president Emmanuel Macron's public sector reforms on Saturday. People from the far left party, General Confederation of Labour trade union and various other 60 organisations participated in the marches and rallies held across France. Reuters reported that citing General Confederation of Labour that 80,000 people participated in the protest in Paris and 250,000 came out nationwide. However, the Police has said that only 21,000 people came for the protest. The clashes between forces and demonstrators were also reported during the protest Dozens of hooded demonstrators pelted bottles at police to which authorities responded with tear gas. Seven officers got hurt in the clashes. Thirty five demonstrators were reportedly detained for various offences including carrying arms and vandalising public property. The protestors of various unions, opposition parties and other groups protesting against the public sector reforms proposed by Emmanuel Macron as they believe that it favours more to the rich ones. However, Mcron's has said that he "will not stop the progress" to the people demonstrating while he was in Russia. Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far left France Unbowed party has listed various grievances like staff shortages in hospitals, limited admissions at the universities and lack of police in tough neighbourhoods to which the government has said that it does not have the means to fund them, Reuters reported. Saturday's march are following the series strikes called by public sector employees from April. Protesters are expected to hold rallies in at least 160 places across France, General Confederation of Labour&nbspSecretary General Philippe Martinez said, adding that Macron should listen to the growing anger. Emmanuel Macron is under fire since the start of the year for his new reforms. In April he made a controversial proposal to privatise its debt-ridden SNCF railway company. The proposal face strikes from rail workers, students and civil servants. The state-owned railway firm which operates most of the railway network of France is currently on the decline. It is reportedly under dept of €45 billion. Parliament's lower house also passed a reform bill in April under which special employment benefits including job-for life guarantee and early retirement were scrapped. A new bill was also designed to tighten France’s immigration and asylum policies. (With inputs from news agencies)

Thousands stage protest against Emmanuel Macron and his new reforms