On Wednesday 24 October, Younous Omarjee (GUE/NGL, France) and Emmanuel Maurel (now GUE/NGL, France) announced, in the presence of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, co-founder of the pan-European radical left movement Maintenant le peuple, the launch of a platform for cooperation on various legislative issues and in preparation for the European elections.
The two MEPs will strengthen their coordination on the fight against tax evasion, environmental protection, in particular on the issue of electric fishing, the fight against free trade, in particular the EU/Japan Free Trade Agreement (see EUROPE 12064), and finally the protection of whistleblowers.
Above all, this cooperation aims to constitute a "core" for the future group of French parliamentarians resulting from the movement France insoumise after the European elections in May 2019, explained Mr Mélenchon, who wishes to organise future coordination between the national and European parliamentary groups.
Recently, three French members of the S&D Group in the European Parliament, Guillaume Balas, Isabelle Thomas and Édouard Martin, created a 'Generation.s' delegation within the group (see EUROPE 12109) to better coordinate their actions and prepare the ground for their future parliamentarians.
The radical left-wing and environmentalist forces will meet in Bilbao from 9 to 11 November as part of the European Forum of Progressive Forces to prepare for the European elections in particular.
The European Left Party has launched a call for candidates for the nomination of its Spitzenkandidat in the next elections, the deadline for which is 16 November (see EUROPE 12107). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)