Earlier this year, the ruling Socialist Party proposed to make labor laws more liberal, including simplifying the procedure for the dismissal of workers and forcing them to work harder for less money. Employers will now be able to increase the working hours of employees and reduce their surcharges for processing. The meaning of the bill boils down to reducing the cost of doing business in the economic crisis at the expense of the workers.
Protests against the anti-worker law promoted by the Socialists demonstrates the crisis of left forces in Europe. French President Francois Hollande represents the liberal version of the "Left". In this regard, the focus of his policy is not the struggle for working class rights or social justice, but for globalization and “progress,” including the destruction of traditional values (a role which the left often plays in politics). Instead of supporting the French working class, the French socialists, like most of their counterparts in Europe, support migrants, sodomites and big business. Under François Hollande, unemployment figures in France have reached unprecedented rates at more than ten percent (far higher than under his right-wing predecessor, the Republican Nicolas Sarkozy). In late January, Hollande was forced to impose an emergency economic situation in the country against the backdrop of high unemployment.
Hollande and the ruling Socialist Party are rapidly losing popularity, even among left forces. Their inability to cope with critical levels of unemployment, defend the rights of the working class, and their failure to ensure the country’s security (such as from the attacks on November 13th in Paris) are all factors which cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Socialist Party. Francois Hollande popularity’s itself has dropped to a critical level of 14%. Left Party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has actively participated in protests and is gaining popularity. He advocates the defense of the French working class’ interests and lifting the sanctions against Russia. He is thus against the pro-American policies of Hollande.
Representatives of the left-liberal "new left" and "green" forces connected with George Soros’ structures are also trying to use the protests to their advantage. They have organized the Nuit Debout (Night on Feet) movement which ideologically and organizationally resembles Occupy Wall Street.
At the same time, a “shift to the left” in the economic field has been exhibited by the National Front (influence of Florian Philippot, one of the main advisors of Marine Le Pen). The party’s leader, Marine Le Pen, is now the most popular politician in the country with a rating of 30%. Given that the chances of the extreme left and the previously marginal Jean-Luc Mélenchon coming to power are low (their ratings are now on par with the current rating of the president), the only political force that can really defend working people in France is now the National Front.
