Melenchon, running third in French election race, promises to tame capitalism - Reuters

 Jean-Luc Melenchon is a far-left French presidential candidate who could challenge for a spot in April's crucial runoff. He promised Sunday to lower the retirement age, increase the minimum wage, and freeze fuel and food prices.

Melenchon, who deplores the free-market system and advocates for state intervention in the economy in order to spread wealth and ensure what he calls a dignified existence for all workers, said at a Paris rally that he would tax the rich hard.

"The free market is chaos, as you can see." Melenchon spoke to thousands of supporters at the Place de la Republique in Paris, France. He said that another world was possible.

Christiane Taubira, a left-winger and feminist icon, left his race this month. This gave the campaign a boost. Melenchon appealed both to undecided voters and those who might not vote for him, as the traditional centre-left Parti Socialiste ("Socialist Party") was in danger of becoming irrelevant and the Greens struggling with a broad support base.

"The Socialists have become a resolute force. Melenchon is the only person who can help us and save us," Rita Alves, a restaurant worker, said.

Melenchon is a strong orator and candidate for president for the third consecutive time. He pledges to control capital movement, guarantee jobs for long-term unemployed, and pay a minimum wage of 1,400 euro ($1,548) per month.

He also stated that he would lower the retirement age from 62 to 60, contrary to Macron, who claims it should be raised to 65 in order to balance the pension bill.

Melenchon stated to the crowd that the time had come for a collective decision to place people first and whose service economy should be.

Melenchon claims he would also pull France out of NATO and stop future free trade agreements with the European Union.

According to polls, Macron will defeat both Le Pen & Melenchon in April's second round-vote.

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