Political tradition dictates that President Emmanuel Macron selects a prime minister from the largest political force or coalition in parliament.
The NFP, comprising the Communist Party, the hard-left France Unbowed, the Greens, and the Socialist Party, has not yet disclosed its choice for prime minister. The coalition’s parties have struggled to reach consensus on a candidate with broad cross-party appeal.
Here are some prominent figures within the coalition:
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, France Unbowed At 72, Mélenchon is a seasoned figure in French left-wing politics. He previously held ministerial roles within the Socialist Party and has run for president multiple times, improving his electoral standing with each attempt. In 2022, he finished third, closely behind far-right leader Marine Le Pen, while Macron emerged as the winner. Mélenchon is known for his impassioned speeches and divisive policy proposals, which include substantial taxation and confrontational foreign policy stances, particularly regarding Gaza. He has faced accusations of antisemitism, which he denies.
Marine Tondelier, Greens Tondelier, 37, hails from Henin-Beaumont, a northern French town known for its strong support of the far-right National Rally (RN) and its leader Marine Le Pen. Tondelier has a history of opposition against the RN and documented her experiences in a book titled “News from the Front,” detailing her time under an RN-led municipal administration. She was elected to the regional council in northern France in 2021 and assumed leadership of the Greens in 2022.
François Ruffin, France Unbowed Ruffin, 48, is an author and filmmaker turned politician. He initially ran as the sole candidate for the regional party he founded, Arise Picardy, in the 2017 parliamentary elections before joining Mélenchon’s France Unbowed. Known for his independent streak, Ruffin clashed with Mélenchon during the 2024 election campaign but retained his parliamentary seat by a narrow margin.
Raphaël Glucksmann, Socialist Party Glucksmann, 44, led the Socialist Party’s list in the European elections, achieving nearly 14% of the vote, a notable resurgence for the party. He has a background in journalism and served as an advisor to former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. Glucksmann advocates for robust European support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Laurent Berger, Former CFDT Trade Union Leader Berger, 55, formerly headed the CFDT trade union and is known for his opposition to the RN. Despite his reluctance to seek the position of prime minister, some on the left view him as a unifying figure who could provide a popular alternative to Mélenchon.
Fabien Roussel, Communist Party A lifelong communist, Roussel, 55, has been involved in political activism since his youth, including anti-apartheid protests. He staunchly supports French nuclear energy and has criticized the growing anti-hunting sentiment in France. Roussel’s political career gained momentum when he became an advisor at a young age to a tourism minister under Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.