Glucksmann Vows to End "Brutal" Politics on French Left
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French left-wing politician Raphaël Glucksmann has spoken out after being targeted in an incident where flour was thrown at him, an act known in France as being "enfariné."
Following the incident, Glucksmann said he wants to "put an end to the political hegemony of brutal people over the French left." Hegemony means having too much control or power over something.
He described himself as the "candidate of the democratic left," suggesting a more moderate and peaceful approach compared to more aggressive figures within the left-wing movement.
At the same time, another major left-wing figure, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has been attacking Parcoursup, the French platform students use to apply for university places.
Glucksmann also made comments about the 2027 presidential election. He promised that far-right leader Marine Le Pen "will not be at the Élysée in May 2027."
The Élysée Palace is the official residence and workplace of the French president, so reaching it is often used as shorthand for winning the presidency.
These comments suggest that competition within the French left is intensifying, with different leaders presenting contrasting styles and approaches ahead of the next presidential race.
Glucksmann's remarks position him as an alternative to both the more confrontational wing of the left, represented by Mélenchon, and the far-right, represented by Le Pen.
Vocabulary10 words
- politician
- someone who works in government or runs for office
- enfariné
- when someone throws flour on a person to show anger
- hegemony
- having too much power or control over others
- candidate
- a person who is trying to win an election
- Parcoursup
- the French system students use to apply to university
- presidential election
- a vote to choose a country's president
- Élysée
- the official workplace of the French president
- far-right
- a political group with very strong right-wing views
- moderate
- not extreme; balanced in views
- confrontational
- ready to argue or fight directly
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Quiz
Answer key
1. He had flour thrown at him 2. The hegemony of brutal people on the left 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
French left-wing politician Raphaël Glucksmann has spoken out after being targeted in an incident where _____ was thrown at him.
Following the incident, Glucksmann said he wants to "put an end to the political _____ of brutal people over the French left."
He described himself as the "candidate of the democratic _____."
Another major left-wing figure, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has been attacking _____, the French university application platform.
Glucksmann also made comments about the 2027 _____ election.
He promised that far-right leader Marine _____ "will not be at the Élysée in May 2027."
The Élysée Palace is the official _____ of the French president.
These comments suggest that competition within the French left is _____.
Discussion questions
- Why might flour-throwing be used as a form of political protest?
- What does Glucksmann mean by calling himself a "democratic" candidate?
- Why do you think there is tension between different leaders on the French left?
- What challenges might Glucksmann face in trying to unite the left before 2027?
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