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Left Front (France)
Encyclopedia
The Left Front is a French electoral coalition for the 2009 European elections
composed primarily of the French Communist Party
, the Left Party
and the Unitarian Left
. The alliance was extended for the 2010 regional elections
.
The Workers' Communist Party of France and other smaller political movements joined the party ahead of the 2010 regional elections
.
won a combined 6.47% of the vote, improving by 0.59% on the PCF's 2004 result. In all, they elected 5 MEPs:
(PCF) finally opted to continue the Left Front with the Left Party
(PG), first tested in the 2009 European elections. These lists would be independent in the first round, but would support (or merge) with a Socialist-led list in the runoff on the condition that the centrist MoDem doesn't do likewise. Yet, the final decision on the matter was transferred to the regional party members. In 17 of 22 regions, members approved the decision of an expanded Left Front; but in five regions, PCF members opted for a first-round alliance with the PS. These regions are Burgundy, Champagne-Ardennes, Lorraine
, Lower Normandy and Brittany. In these regions, however, dissident Communists have joined with Olivier Besancenot
's New Anticapitalist Party
(NPA) and the PG to create independent lists by the first round.
In three regions - Languedoc-Roussillon
, Limousin
and Pays-de-la-Loire, the Left Front's lists are supported by the NPA.
European Parliament election, 2009 (France)
European elections to elect 72 French Members of the European Parliament were held on Sunday 7 June 2009.Due to the entry of Romania and Bulgaria in the European Union in 2007, the number of seats allocated to France was revised from 78 seats to 72 seats, a loss of 6 seats...
composed primarily of the French Communist Party
French Communist Party
The French Communist Party is a political party in France which advocates the principles of communism.Although its electoral support has declined in recent decades, the PCF retains a large membership, behind only that of the Union for a Popular Movement , and considerable influence in French...
, the Left Party
Left Party (France)
The Left Party is a French democratic socialist political party. It seeks to emulate the German political party Die Linke led by Gesine Lötzsch and Klaus Ernst.- History :...
and the Unitarian Left
Unitarian Left
Unitarian Left is a political party in France which used to be one part of a faction within the Revolutionary Communist League...
. The alliance was extended for the 2010 regional elections
French regional elections, 2010
Regional elections were held in France on 14 and 21 March 2010. At stake were the presidencies of each of France's 26 régions, which, though they do not have legislative autonomy, manage sizable budgets....
.
The Workers' Communist Party of France and other smaller political movements joined the party ahead of the 2010 regional elections
French regional elections, 2010
Regional elections were held in France on 14 and 21 March 2010. At stake were the presidencies of each of France's 26 régions, which, though they do not have legislative autonomy, manage sizable budgets....
.
Program
For the European elections, the Left Front (formerly The Left Front to change of Europe, ) proposed:- to forbid lay-offs for the companies which make profits
- to protect and improve public services
- to fight for new rights for workers and the unemployed
- to protect the planet
- to abandon the Treaty of LisbonTreaty of LisbonThe Treaty of Lisbon of 1668 was a peace treaty between Portugal and Spain, concluded at Lisbon on 13 February 1668, through the mediation of England, in which Spain recognized the sovereignty of Portugal's new ruling dynasty, the House of Braganza....
Top Candidates
- EastEast France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, East France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Alsace, Bourgogne, Champagne-Ardenne, Franche-Comté and Lorraine-2009:-2004:...
: Hélène FrancoHélène FrancoHélène Franco is a French magistrate and politician. She is the general secretary of the Syndicat de la magistrature, the left-wing magistrates' labour union....
(PGLeft Party (France)The Left Party is a French democratic socialist political party. It seeks to emulate the German political party Die Linke led by Gesine Lötzsch and Klaus Ernst.- History :...
) - Île-de-FranceÎle-de-France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, Île-de-France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the region of Île-de-France.-2009:-2004:Brackets indicate the number of votes per seat won....
: Patrick Le HyaricPatrick Le HyaricPatrick Le Hyaric is a French journalist, politician and Member of the European Parliament elected in the 2009 European election for the Île-de-France constituency...
(PCFFrench Communist PartyThe French Communist Party is a political party in France which advocates the principles of communism.Although its electoral support has declined in recent decades, the PCF retains a large membership, behind only that of the Union for a Popular Movement , and considerable influence in French...
) - Massif CentralLoire, Massif Central (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, Massif central–Centre is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Auvergne, Centre and Limousin.-2009:For the 2009 election, five MEPs were elected from the constituency:-2004:...
: Marie-France BeaufilsMarie-France BeaufilsMarie-France Beaufils is a member of the Senate of France, representing the Indre-et-Loire department. She is a member of the Communist, Republican, and Citizen Group.-References:*...
(PCFFrench Communist PartyThe French Communist Party is a political party in France which advocates the principles of communism.Although its electoral support has declined in recent decades, the PCF retains a large membership, behind only that of the Union for a Popular Movement , and considerable influence in French...
) - North-WestNorth-West France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, North-West France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Basse-Normandie, Haute-Normandie, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie-2009:-2004:...
: Jacky HeninJacky HeninJacky Hénin is a French politician and Member of the European Parliament for the north-west of France. He is a member of the French Communist Party, which is part of the European United Left–Nordic Green Left group, and sits on the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade.He is also...
(PCFFrench Communist PartyThe French Communist Party is a political party in France which advocates the principles of communism.Although its electoral support has declined in recent decades, the PCF retains a large membership, behind only that of the Union for a Popular Movement , and considerable influence in French...
) - OverseasOverseas Territories of France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, Overseas Territories of France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the French overseas departments and territories.-2009:-2004:-External links:*...
: None - South-EastSouth-East France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, South-East France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Corsica, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Rhône-Alpes.-2009:-2004:-External links:* *...
: Marie-Christine VergiatMarie-Christine VergiatMarie-Christine Vergiat is a community organizations' activist and a French politician. As of June 2009, she is a Member of the European Parliament representing the Left Front. She is the companion of Jean-Pierre Dubois, president of the French Human Rights League, with whom she has a son... - South-WestSouth-West France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, South-West France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Aquitaine, Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées.-2009:-2004:...
: Jean-Luc MélenchonJean-Luc MélenchonJean-Luc Mélenchon is a French politician who served in the government of France as Minister of Vocational Education from 2000 to 2002. He was also a member of the Senate of France, representing the Essonne department...
(PGLeft Party (France)The Left Party is a French democratic socialist political party. It seeks to emulate the German political party Die Linke led by Gesine Lötzsch and Klaus Ernst.- History :...
) - WestWest France (European Parliament constituency)West France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It currently elects 10 MEPs. It includes the French regions of Brittany, Pays de la Loire, and Poitou-Charentes.-2009:-2004:...
: Jacques GénéreuxJacques GénéreuxJacques Généreux is a French economist and politician. He is a reader of economics at the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris....
(PGLeft Party (France)The Left Party is a French democratic socialist political party. It seeks to emulate the German political party Die Linke led by Gesine Lötzsch and Klaus Ernst.- History :...
)
Results
The Left Front and the Alliance of the OverseasAlliance of the Overseas
The Alliance of the Overseas was a French electoral coalition for the 2009 European elections in the Overseas constituency composed of left-wing overseas parties...
won a combined 6.47% of the vote, improving by 0.59% on the PCF's 2004 result. In all, they elected 5 MEPs:
- EastEast France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, East France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Alsace, Bourgogne, Champagne-Ardenne, Franche-Comté and Lorraine-2009:-2004:...
: 3.89% (no MEPs) - Île-de-FranceÎle-de-France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, Île-de-France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the region of Île-de-France.-2009:-2004:Brackets indicate the number of votes per seat won....
: 6.32% (Patrick Le HyaricPatrick Le HyaricPatrick Le Hyaric is a French journalist, politician and Member of the European Parliament elected in the 2009 European election for the Île-de-France constituency...
) - Massif CentralLoire, Massif Central (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, Massif central–Centre is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Auvergne, Centre and Limousin.-2009:For the 2009 election, five MEPs were elected from the constituency:-2004:...
: 8.07% (no MEPs) - North-WestNorth-West France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, North-West France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Basse-Normandie, Haute-Normandie, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie-2009:-2004:...
: 6.84% (Jacky HeninJacky HeninJacky Hénin is a French politician and Member of the European Parliament for the north-west of France. He is a member of the French Communist Party, which is part of the European United Left–Nordic Green Left group, and sits on the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade.He is also...
) - OverseasOverseas Territories of France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, Overseas Territories of France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the French overseas departments and territories.-2009:-2004:-External links:*...
: 21.01% (Élie HoarauÉlie HoarauÉlie Hoarau is a French politician and member of the Communist Party of Réunion. He is the husband of Senator Gélita Hoarau....
, Alliance of the OverseasAlliance of the OverseasThe Alliance of the Overseas was a French electoral coalition for the 2009 European elections in the Overseas constituency composed of left-wing overseas parties...
) - South-EastSouth-East France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, South-East France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Corsica, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Rhône-Alpes.-2009:-2004:-External links:* *...
: 5.90% (Marie-Christine VergiatMarie-Christine VergiatMarie-Christine Vergiat is a community organizations' activist and a French politician. As of June 2009, she is a Member of the European Parliament representing the Left Front. She is the companion of Jean-Pierre Dubois, president of the French Human Rights League, with whom she has a son...
) - South-WestSouth-West France (European Parliament constituency)In European elections, South-West France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It consists of the regions of Aquitaine, Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées.-2009:-2004:...
: 8.15% (Jean-Luc MélenchonJean-Luc MélenchonJean-Luc Mélenchon is a French politician who served in the government of France as Minister of Vocational Education from 2000 to 2002. He was also a member of the Senate of France, representing the Essonne department...
) - WestWest France (European Parliament constituency)West France is a constituency of the European Parliament. It currently elects 10 MEPs. It includes the French regions of Brittany, Pays de la Loire, and Poitou-Charentes.-2009:-2004:...
: 4.58% (no MEPs)
2010 Regional elections
The French Communist PartyFrench Communist Party
The French Communist Party is a political party in France which advocates the principles of communism.Although its electoral support has declined in recent decades, the PCF retains a large membership, behind only that of the Union for a Popular Movement , and considerable influence in French...
(PCF) finally opted to continue the Left Front with the Left Party
Left Party (France)
The Left Party is a French democratic socialist political party. It seeks to emulate the German political party Die Linke led by Gesine Lötzsch and Klaus Ernst.- History :...
(PG), first tested in the 2009 European elections. These lists would be independent in the first round, but would support (or merge) with a Socialist-led list in the runoff on the condition that the centrist MoDem doesn't do likewise. Yet, the final decision on the matter was transferred to the regional party members. In 17 of 22 regions, members approved the decision of an expanded Left Front; but in five regions, PCF members opted for a first-round alliance with the PS. These regions are Burgundy, Champagne-Ardennes, Lorraine
Lorraine (région)
Lorraine is one of the 27 régions of France. The administrative region has two cities of equal importance, Metz and Nancy. Metz is considered to be the official capital since that is where the regional parliament is situated...
, Lower Normandy and Brittany. In these regions, however, dissident Communists have joined with Olivier Besancenot
Olivier Besancenot
Olivier Besancenot is a French far left political figure and trade unionist, and the founding main spokesperson of the New Anticapitalist Party from 2009 to 2011....
's New Anticapitalist Party
New Anticapitalist Party
The New Anticapitalist Party is a French political party founded in February 2009. Its name was originally intended to be temporary; a vote on the name being held at the founding congress on 6–8 February 2009, where NPA won over "Revolutionary Anticapitalist Party" with 53% of the vote.The party ...
(NPA) and the PG to create independent lists by the first round.
In three regions - Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the 27 regions of France. It comprises five departments, and borders the other French regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne, Midi-Pyrénées on the one side, and Spain, Andorra and the Mediterranean sea on the other side.-Geography:The region is...
, Limousin
Limousin (région)
Limousin is one of the 27 regions of France. It is composed of three départements: Corrèze, Creuse and the Haute-Vienne.Situated largely in the Massif Central, as of January 1st 2008, the Limousin comprised 740,743 inhabitants on nearly 17 000 km2, making it the second least populated region of...
and Pays-de-la-Loire, the Left Front's lists are supported by the NPA.