Melanchon, whose dream of becoming French President was dashed, says "Please elect me as Prime Minister in the June general election"

Jean-Luc M?lenchon, leader of "La France Insoumise (LFI)"
Photo by AFP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] On the 10th (local time), Jean-Luc M?lenchon, leader of "La France Insoumise (LFI)," who received 22% of the vote in the first round of the French presidential election but narrowly failed to advance to the runoff, vowed victory in the upcoming June legislative elections following the presidential election.

On the 19th (local time), M?lenchon appeared on BFM-TV and said he wants to become Prime Minister regardless of who becomes president, asking the French people to "elect me as Prime Minister."

M?lenchon narrowly missed advancing to the runoff, trailing Marine Le Pen, the National Rally candidate who received 23.1% of the vote in the first round by just 1.1 percentage points.

Having seen his presidential dream dashed, M?lenchon focused on the June legislative elections. He stated that if his LFI becomes the largest party in the June elections, he will be ready to lead the government as Prime Minister regardless of who becomes president.

According to the French Constitution, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President. However, if the President's party does not hold the majority, the President generally appoints the Prime Minister from the majority party.

M?lenchon said he might form an alliance with progressive parties to secure a majority in the parliament. He did not answer whether he will run in the June elections.

He expressed that he does not support either incumbent President Emmanuel Macron or National Rally candidate Marine Le Pen, who advanced to the runoff.

M?lenchon urged his supporters not to vote for Le Pen. He also said it is not his role to tell them to vote for President Macron. Instead, he encouraged them to cast blank ballots or abstain from voting altogether.