Candidate comparison
Mélenchon vs Glucksmann: how alike are they?
We compare the documented positions of Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Raphaël Glucksmann on the 46 questions in the test, issue by issue.
In brief
How do Mélenchon and Glucksmann differ?
Jean-Luc Mélenchon (La France Insoumise) and Raphaël Glucksmann (Place Publique), chosen on 11 October 2026 in the primary of the Socialist Party, Place Publique and the Gauche républicaine et socialiste, agree on the economy and social policy but are opposed on Europe, defence and nuclear power. Both support a minimum tax of 2% on fortunes above 100 million euros and bringing back a wealth tax, going back to a retirement age of 62 or lower, a minimum wage of at least 1,600 euros a month after deductions, rent controls in all large cities and a large increase in funding for public hospitals. They also want to give legal status to undocumented workers who have a job, elect members of the National Assembly by proportional representation and call a constituent assembly to create a Sixth Republic. Glucksmann, however, supports continued military aid to Ukraine, higher military spending, extending the nuclear deterrent to European partners, more EU decisions by majority without a national veto and new nuclear reactors, and Mélenchon opposes each of these. Mélenchon, for his part, wants French law to take precedence over European law, which Glucksmann rejects.
This summary is based on the candidates’ documented positions on the test statements; the source of each position is on each candidate’s page. Updated 19/10/2026.
Differences
Where they clash most
Energy, climate and farming
France should build new nuclear reactors.
Education and youth
Social media should be banned for children under 15.
Europe
The European Union should take more decisions by majority, without a veto for each country.
Foreign affairs and defence
France should continue to give military aid to Ukraine.
Foreign affairs and defence
France should leave NATO’s integrated military command.
Foreign affairs and defence
France should offer to extend its nuclear deterrent to its European partners.
Common ground
Where they agree
Pensions
The legal retirement age should rise to 65.
Both: Strongly against
Pensions
Part of pensions should be funded by invested savings (a funded pillar).
Both: Against
Work and cost of living
The minimum wage (SMIC) should be raised to at least 1,600 euros a month after deductions.
Both: Strongly in favour
Work and cost of living
The legal working week should stay at 35 hours.
Both: In favour
Work and cost of living
Unemployment benefits should be paid for a shorter time, to encourage people back into work.
Both: Strongly against
Immigration
There should be a referendum on immigration.
Both: Against
By issue
Agreement by issue
Detail
Question by question
Economy, taxes and debt 75 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| There should be a minimum tax of 2% on fortunes worth more than 100 million euros. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| To reduce the deficit, public spending should be cut first, rather than raising taxes. | Strongly against | Against |
| The number of public servants should be reduced. | Strongly against | Against |
| A wealth tax should be brought back. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
Pensions 88 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| The legal retirement age should go back to 62 or lower. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| The legal retirement age should rise to 65. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
| Part of pensions should be funded by invested savings (a funded pillar). | Against | Against |
| All pensions should rise at least in line with inflation. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
Work and cost of living 90 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| The minimum wage (SMIC) should be raised to at least 1,600 euros a month after deductions. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| The legal working week should stay at 35 hours. | In favour | In favour |
| VAT on electricity, gas and motor fuel should be cut. | In favour | In between |
| Unemployment benefits should be paid for a shorter time, to encourage people back into work. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
| Rent controls should apply in all large cities. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
Health 75 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| The State should be able to require doctors to set up practice in areas that lack them. | In favour | In between |
| Funding for public hospitals should be greatly increased, even if it costs the State more. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
Immigration 88 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| There should be a referendum on immigration. | Against | Against |
| Birthright citizenship (“droit du sol”) should be abolished. | Strongly against | Against |
| Undocumented workers who have a job should be given legal status. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| Social housing and jobs should go to French citizens first. | Against | Against |
| Undocumented migrants should keep access to State medical aid (AME). | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| Family reunification should be suspended. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
Security and justice 75 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| Police officers and gendarmes should be presumed to have acted in self-defence. | Strongly against | Against |
| Judges should have to give repeat offenders mandatory minimum sentences. | Against | Against |
| The sale of cannabis should be legalised and regulated. | Strongly in favour | In between |
| Rubber-bullet launchers (LBD) and grenades should be banned at demonstrations. | In favour | In between |
Education and youth 50 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| Social media should be banned for children under 15. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| School uniform should be compulsory in primary and lower secondary school. | Strongly against | Against |
| Parcoursup should be scrapped. | Strongly in favour | In between |
Energy, climate and farming 63 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| France should build new nuclear reactors. | Strongly against | Strongly in favour |
| Wind power should continue to be developed. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Low-emission zones (ZFE) in large cities should be scrapped. | In favour | Against |
| Glyphosate and neonicotinoids should be banned. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
Europe 50 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| French law should take precedence over European law. | In favour | Against |
| The European Union should take more decisions by majority, without a veto for each country. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| France should leave the European Union. | Against | Strongly against |
Foreign affairs and defence 35 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| France should continue to give military aid to Ukraine. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| France should leave NATO’s integrated military command. | Strongly in favour | Against |
| France should offer to extend its nuclear deterrent to its European partners. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| There should be compulsory national service for all young people. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| France should increase its military spending. | Against | Strongly in favour |
Institutions and democracy 83 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the National Assembly should be elected by proportional representation. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| There should be a citizens’ initiative referendum (RIC). | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| A constituent assembly should be called to create a Sixth Republic. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
Society, secularism and regions 83 %
| Question | Mélenchon | Glucksmann |
|---|---|---|
| The 2026 law allowing assisted dying should be kept. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| Corsica should be able to make its own rules in some areas. | In favour | In favour |
| Girls under 18 should not be allowed to wear the headscarf in public spaces. | Strongly against | Against |
What about you? Which of the two do you agree with more?
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