He fought France’s far right for half a century. Now Melenchon’s presidential bid may hand it power

In Le Bourget, France, young supporters displayed their allegiance to Jean-Luc Mélenchon like a soccer player wearing his jersey, adorned with his name "27." They sang about brass bands and revolution, many of them having protested or blockaded their schools in the fall. Mélenchon, 75 years old, was making his fourth bid for the presidency, old enough to be their grandfather. Addressing a massive crowd of 20,000 supporters, he declared, "Everything must change."

With three previous presidential campaigns failing to reach the runoff, Mélenchon's chance at success may be his last. In 2022, he received only 421,308 votes, falling short of the necessary threshold. Now, he aims to compete against far-right frontrunner Marine Le Pen in a winner-takes-all showdown. Mélenchon seeks more than just the presidency; he wants to fundamentally alter the French republic, drawing inspiration from the unfinished promise of the 1789 Revolution.

If Le Pen defeats Mélenchon, the anti-capitalist who has devoted his life to fighting the far right could inadvertently hand power to the right-wing leader, potentially giving her access to the Elysee Palace and control of France's nuclear arsenal. This outcome could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the United States, where former President Donald Trump remains influential. Russia is currently waging a war in Ukraine, and Mélenchon's radical policies could further destabilize the region.

Mélenchon, born in Tangier, Morocco in 1951, has led a tumultuous life. Initially a Trotskyist student, he later became a Socialist before resigning to form his own movement in 2008. Known for his rallies, which he calls "Mélenshow," Mélenchon is a showman who boasts about his ability to draw large crowds. He has even compared himself to U.S. President Donald Trump, who similarly brags about his own rallies.

Critics accuse Mélenchon of stoking unrest, antisemitism, and contempt for law enforcement and the media. They also argue that his debt plans could create tensions with Europe's central bank, causing market instability. Despite these criticisms, Mélenchon maintains that he is a champion of the people, particularly the youth and those living in the suburbs.

On the day of his speech, a young African Frenchman named Pengo Bossio Wangi was tragically killed in what authorities called a racist terror attack. The incident galvanized Mélenchon's supporters, who view him as a voice for the marginalized and disenfranchised.