Mélenchonism's influence extends beyond La France Insoumise, editorial claims

An editorial in Le Figaro asserts that the political current known as "Mélenchonism" is not confined to the La France Insoumise (LFI) party but has spread to other political factions, including the Greens and the Socialist Party. The author dismisses attempts by figures like Raphaël Glucksmann and François Hollande to create a bulwark against LFI, characterizing their efforts as ineffective.

The editorial contends that this political ideology, likened to the "Chernobyl cloud," has deeply affected the Greens and is now impacting the Socialist Party. While Glucksmann's movement might avoid the "anti-Israeli obsession" of LFI, it reportedly embraces a "fiscal neurosis," lenient immigration policies, and a strong focus on renewable energy. These positions, according to the piece, represent a form of "mental leftism" that alienates a significant portion of the French electorate.

Comparing the current political landscape to 2011, the editorial suggests that François Hollande followed the Terra Nova strategy, which involved abandoning the working class in favor of urban centers, minorities, and children of immigrants. The piece argues that Jean-Luc Mélenchon in 2026 has adopted a more extreme version of this strategy, describing LFI as "Terra Nova on steroids," with the added element of antisemitism.

The editorial concludes by stating that even centrist political movements are not immune to these influences. It implies that the underlying strategies and ideological leanings are pervasive, suggesting a broader shift in the political spectrum that moves away from traditional French values and concerns.