Whereas Hamon prescribes strength when dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mélenchon argues that “there is no use showing up armed to the teeth, it’s better to talk with Russia.”
While Hamon never suggested any fundamental realignment of France’s alliances, Mélenchon wants to quit NATO and pivot France to the east, toward warmer ties with Putin and an alliance with Syria’s Bashar al-Assad against Islamic State.
And while Hamon says France should revisit certain EU-mandated free trade deals, Mélenchon has a more radical plan: completely renegotiating France’s relationship with the EU. If the negotiation does not bring the hoped-for results, it will be “up to the French people” to decide whether to remain in the bloc.
Le Pen-Mélenchon axis?
The other candidate that Mélenchon’s foreign policy outlook chimes with is National Front leader Marine Le Pen. On the EU, NATO and Russia, there is scarcely any daylight between them.
The alignment is so great that during the TV debate, Mélenchon was unable to maintain an aggressive attitude toward the National Front leader beyond discussion on migration. Midway through the debate, they were in lockstep with both saying — almost at the same time — that the disabled should be entitled to €1,000 monthly benefits.
There are other signs of warmth. In January, Mélenchon complained that the National Front was unable to borrow money from French banks, urging them to have “pity” on Le Pen.
Conversely, National Front officials often credit Mélenchon’s campaign with good tactics. Senior party operative Philippe Vardon, speaking with POLITICO earlier this year, said there were “things to retain” from Mélenchon’s platform and campaign, which he called “efficient.”
Gaëtan Bertrand, who runs the National Front’s web operation, said Mélenchon was the only candidate besides Le Pen running a good web campaign.
