Now that the very eventful and bizarre American elections are over, it is time for French people to decide who is going to be their next president. However French politics seems to mirror the American ones and it is scary.
The rise of the far-right wing party has put Marine Le Pen, whose project is very similar to Trump’s, at the top of the polls. The very conservative standpoint of Francois Fillon has also sparked a lot of worry and controversy. But one candidate stands out by bringing very different and ambitious ideas. He was the underdog of the left party, the one no one expected, his name is Benoit Hamon [bə.nwa a.mɔ̃].
On Jan. 29, Hamon officially became the left party candidate for the 2017 presidential election, creating the surprise since he had not been the favorite until very recently, mostly because he was little heard of. But his popularity quickly soared thanks to a very ambitious and progressive program. Here are some of his major ideas:
A Green Europe
Benoit Hamon wants to make the energy shift a priority, his goal being a 50 per cent renewable energy by 2025 by gradually putting an end to the use of nuclear energy.
Equality
Calling himself a feminist, Hamon wants to erase the wage gap and fight harder against sexual harassment. He strongly believes in a multicultural society that does not force people to blend in. He would like to create a “discrimination squad” that will targets public and private facilities such as school and workplaces to make sure no one is discriminated against.
Refugees Are Welcome
Benoit Hamon made it quite clear that France has to be welcoming and protecting refugees and proposed to create a humanitarian visa to make it so that they have a legal status and safety.
Cannabis Legalization
This is probably one of the most contentious topics, but 52% of French people would like this issue to be addressed. Hamon suggests that it be legalized in order to limit trafficking.
Euthanasia: The Right To Die In Dignity
This is again something that has been the center of many debates and something he stands up for. He wants people with grave incurable illness to have the right and the choice to die.
An Alternative To Imprisonment
France currently faces overpopulation in its prisons. Instead of building new ones, Benoit Hamon believes in alternatives that would focus on education and rehabilitation. Also with the legalization of cannabis there would be a decrease in the number of people sentenced to jail, most of them also being POC and muslims, which is an issue he wants to address by standing up against racial bias and with new training programs for the police.
Universal Basic Income
Probably his most ambitious (and disputed) idea, the basic income would be granted to everybody over 18. Of course this would a very long process to reach the hypothetical 750 euros income and he has often been, therefore, criticized for being a utopist and because it would cost too much but many believe that it is possible and it definitely is a worthwhile debate.
This is just the tip of the iceberg Hamon. Alongside he also wants to open more planned parenthood centers, he is firmly against the T.A.F.T.A. and other free trade agreements, etc.
Overall his very progressive and interventionist program has seduced many, especially among the youth. It is now only up to the French population to make the right choice. The first round of the elections is on Apr. 23.
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