Jean-Luc Mélenchon proposes lowering voting age to 16

During a campaign rally in Clermont-Ferrand, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France insoumise, advocated for lowering the national voting age to 16. He argued that since 16-year-olds can be emancipated, act as parents, or face legal consequences, they should have the right to participate in elections as full citizens.

Mélenchon also targeted the French higher education system, specifically calling for the abolition of Parcoursup, the centralized platform used for university applications. He criticized the platform as a mechanism for selection rather than education, describing it as an “exam for university entrance” that creates excessive pressure on students.

Additionally, the candidate proposed reforms to vocational training, including restoring a four-year rule for obtaining a professional baccalaureate to ensure students are better prepared for their careers.