French Left Parties Discuss Closer Ties Before 2027 Election
Listen to the story
At their annual summer schools, France's two main left-wing parties, LFI (France Unbowed) and the Greens, discussed the idea of working more closely together. A summer school is a yearly gathering where party members meet, listen to speeches and debate ideas.
LFI and the Greens are both part of what is often called the French left, a political side that generally supports more government action to reduce inequality and protect workers. The Greens focus especially on protecting the environment.
In recent years, LFI had grown distant from some of its former left-wing partners. This shift away from old allies, parties that agree to support each other, was noticed by political observers.
However, at this summer's events, many attendees felt a different mood — a sense of rapprochement, meaning renewed cooperation and friendlier relations between the parties.
Despite this warmer atmosphere, LFI's spokesperson Manuel Bompard made clear that unity has limits. In an interview with the newspaper Sud Ouest, he stated that there will not be a single candidate representing the whole left in the 2027 presidential election.
A presidential election is held in France every five years to choose the country's president, the head of state. The next one is due in 2027, and left-wing parties have often debated whether to unite behind one candidate or run separately.
Bompard's comments suggest that although LFI and the Greens may cooperate more on some issues, they are not yet ready to fully merge their political strategies ahead of the vote.
The story highlights an ongoing tension within the French left: a desire for greater unity against political rivals, balanced against each party's wish to keep its own identity and approach.
Vocabulary8 words
- summer school
- a yearly meeting where party members talk about ideas
- left
- political side wanting more help for poor and working people
- the environment
- nature and the planet
- allies
- groups or people who agree to support each other
- rapprochement
- a return to friendly relations
- spokesperson
- a person who speaks officially for a group
- candidate
- a person who runs for a political position
- president
- the head of state of a country
Quiz
Answer key
1. They discussed working more closely together 2. LFI had grown distant from them 3. There will not be a single left candidate
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
At their annual summer schools, France's two main left-wing parties, LFI and the Greens, discussed the idea of working more _____ together.
LFI and the Greens are both part of what is often called the French _____, a political side that generally supports more government action.
In recent years, LFI had grown distant from some of its former left-wing _____.
However, at this summer's events, many attendees felt a sense of _____, meaning renewed cooperation.
LFI's _____ Manuel Bompard made clear that unity has limits.
He stated that there will not be a single _____ representing the whole left in the 2027 presidential election.
The next presidential election, to choose the country's _____, is due in 2027.
The story highlights an ongoing tension within the French left about _____ against political rivals.
Discussion questions
- Why might political parties want to hold summer schools every year?
- What are the possible benefits and risks for LFI and the Greens if they work more closely together?
- Why do you think left-wing parties sometimes struggle to agree on a single candidate?
- How might voters react to news of cooperation or division within a political movement?