French presidential hopeful Mélenchon set to launch campaign by vowing to lower retirement age

Mélenchon is set to formally announce his 2027 presidential programme in a speech on Saturday. The veteran leftist plans to raise the minimum wage and cap prices for essential foods. His central promise is to restore the country's retirement age to 60.

Polls currently indicate that he is the left wing's strongest contender against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen.