{"text":[[{"start":9.6,"text":"France’s far-left presidential hopeful Jean-Luc Mélenchon unveiled what he called a “revolutionary programme” that would upend the economy and remake society."}],[{"start":19.68,"text":"Speaking at a large rally in the low-income, predominantly immigrant area of Seine-Saint-Denis, to the north of Paris, on Saturday, he said the country and planet were in need of renewal in the name of social justice."}],[{"start":31.5,"text":"He said: “I only have one thing to propose to you: it is time to change everything.”"}],[{"start":36.74,"text":"“The France of rebellion and revolution, this is our dear country where we all belong,” he added, reappropriating a far-right slogan that declares France to be its country."}],[{"start":47,"text":"The 75-year-old anti-globalisation, eurosceptic politician is making his fourth bid to win France’s presidency and is rising in the polls. He attracted 20,000 supporters to the event in Seine-Saint-Denis, which is a stronghold for his La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) party."}],[{"start":64.72,"text":"Mélenchon polled at around 18 per cent in public opinion surveys for the first round of presidential voting which were carried out in late October by Ipsos and Ifop."}],[{"start":74.96,"text":"That puts him within striking distance of qualifying for the run-off in next year’s election, in which he is likely to face far-right leader Marine Le Pen. She remains the frontrunner by a wide margin, with around 35 per cent in the first round."}],[{"start":88.76,"text":"Second-round polls all show him losing badly to Le Pen in the run-off, although public opinion could still shift significantly in the months that remain before the contest in April."}],[{"start":98.44,"text":"Mélenchon has gained momentum since September by backing the widespread protests over the education system and the cost of living that have become a serious challenge to Emmanuel Macron’s government."}],[{"start":109.36,"text":"Roughly 600,000 people demonstrated this week in the biggest turnout since the movement began in September, stoking political tensions and adding to the climate of polarisation."}],[{"start":119.56,"text":"A racially motivated shooting spree last month killed one person and gravely injured four others."}],[{"start":125.64,"text":"The presidential election will be crucial for France’s relationship with the EU as both Mélenchon and Le Pen have promised to break with the status quo on everything from the single market to the fight against climate change."}],[{"start":138.44,"text":"Mélenchon reiterated on Saturday that France should be “nonaligned” in global diplomacy, warned against getting dragged into the Ukraine-Russia war and criticised the hegemony of the US."}],[{"start":149.4,"text":"He dismissed the pollsters’ projections that he would be defeated by Le Pen in the presidential run-off. “That is what they told Lula as well,” he said, referring to the newly re-elected leftwing Brazilian president’s recent surprise comeback. “We will fight to the last second, and in the end, we will win.”"}],[{"start":166.78,"text":"The rally, which was held in a large hangar, featured musical acts and short documentaries as well as a cast of dozens of LFI’s elected officials whom Mélenchon said were ready to govern."}],[{"start":177.68,"text":"The party’s economic programme calls for the expansion of the welfare state, sweeping nationalisations, including of motorways and airports, and greater state control over banking and strategic industries. The price of food, energy and fuel would be controlled by the state."}],[{"start":193.72,"text":"Mélenchon would lower the retirement age to 60, from around 63 currently."}],[{"start":198.4,"text":"The party has not costed its programme but its policies imply heavy spending and tax rises. France already has the second-widest deficit in the Eurozone, which is forecast to hit 5.4 per cent of GDP by the end of this year."}],[{"start":212.32,"text":"Mélenchon wants to convert €600bn of French public debt held by the European Central Bank into interest-free loans that would never have to be repaid, a proposal he previously described as throwing the debt into the fire."}],[{"start":225.56,"text":"LFI wants to root out what it calls the “financialisation” of the economy and stop growing inequality by limiting the gap between the highest and lowest salaries within companies. It would end continuous stock trading, restrict dividend payments and confiscate any inherited wealth above €12mn."}],[{"start":244.08,"text":"“Capitalism is a concrete problem so the radical left has concrete solutions,” Mélenchon said."}],[{"start":249.24,"text":"A system of state-led ecological planning would direct investment and production. Nuclear energy would be phased out in favour of renewable energy."}],[{"start":258.16,"text":"Mélenchon also wants to reshape France’s political institutions and social model. He proposes replacing the Fifth Republic with a new constitution, introducing proportional representation and expanding citizens’ powers through referendums. The voting age would be lowered to 16, from 18 currently."}],[{"start":275.44,"text":"LFI has vowed to fight racism and discrimination. Party leaders at the rally attacked Le Pen’s party, the Rassemblement National, for its controversial policies including giving French citizens priority for social benefits."}],[{"start":288.56,"text":"Mélenchon railed against Le Pen, to loud cheers from the crowd. “The first line of defence against racism is each of us,” he said."}],[{"start":301.8,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1794103179_9066.mp3"}