Macron labels La France Insoumise as far left and warns against attacks on the rule of law

Sunday 15 February 2026 - 07:00

By: Sahili Aya

Macron labels La France Insoumise as far left and warns against attacks on the rule of law

French President Emmanuel Macron has described La France Insoumise (LFI) as a far-left party, arguing that its political positioning leaves little room for ambiguity. Speaking in a radio interview, the head of state said that “there is not much mystery” about LFI’s ideological alignment.

His remarks follow an administrative classification that placed LFI candidates in the far-left category ahead of upcoming local elections. The designation sparked criticism from party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who denounced the move as politically motivated.

Macron insisted that elected representatives, once chosen by voters, must be respected as part of democratic institutions. However, he expressed concern over what he described as positions that contradict core republican principles, particularly regarding antisemitism. According to the president, certain narratives have blurred the line between legitimate international debate and rhetoric that stigmatizes French Jewish citizens.

“We must never accept that any child of our Republic be accused of crimes because of their identity,” he said, warning against what he called a dangerous inversion of values. He also stressed that combating hatred should not be conflated with hostility toward any religion, drawing a distinction between faith and those who instrumentalize it for political ends.

Asked about the place of the Rassemblement National within the so-called republican spectrum, Macron acknowledged that some of its positions raise questions regarding adherence to republican principles. Nonetheless, he underlined that its members hold seats in parliament because they were elected by French citizens.

The president also criticized former interior minister Bruno Retailleau, who recently announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. Retailleau has called for constitutional changes to address security and immigration challenges. Macron cautioned against framing institutional checks and balances as obstacles, arguing that undermining counterpowers could weaken the Republic itself.

“Suggesting that our difficulties stem from the existence of counterpowers is dangerous,” he said. While acknowledging that legal frameworks may evolve, Macron emphasized the need to safeguard the rule of law as a cornerstone of French democracy.