France's Socialist Party joins far-left alliance ahead of key elections

France's Socialist Party and the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party have reached an "in principle" agreement to form an alliance for legislative elections in June.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, former presidential candidate for the far-left France Unbowed party, speaks with Socialist Party First Secretary Olivier Faure in the National Assembly. AFP - DAVID NIVIERE

Speaking on France Info radio on Wednesday, LFI politician Adrien Quatennens said: "We can and will beat Emmanuel Macron and we can do it with a majority to govern for a radical programme."

However, the deal struck by negotiators still needs to be approved by the Socialist Party’s national committee on Thursday evening.

Ça y est ! Il y a un accord de principe entre les délégations insoumises et socialistes pour que le PS rejoigne à son tour la Nouvelle Union Populaire Écologique et Sociale. Il appartient maintenant au Conseil National du PS de valider ou non cet accord. #8H30franceinfo pic.twitter.com/1RAYSZjvqH

— Adrien Quatennens (@AQuatennens) May 4, 2022

Mélenchon creates united front

LFI has recently made similar deals with the French greens (EELV) and the Communists (PCF), creating a united front under the leadership of far-left kingmaker Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Mélenchon has said he wants to become France's prime minister in the next government and hopes to deprive the newly re-elected President Emmanuel Macron of a majority in parliament in the legislative polls on 12 and 19 June and thwart his pro-business agenda.

The pro-European Socialists had been holding out after days of negotiations at the headquarters of Mélenchon's Eurosceptic party.

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