Left Front marches to clean up French politics

Left Front leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon led Sunday's protest

In France, a coalition of left-wing parties opposed to the ruling socialist government say they drew 180,000 people to an outdoor rally in Paris on Sunday. The Left Front was demanding reforms to the political system, following scandals and broken promises by the socialists under President François Hollande.

The protest came one day before President Hollande celebrates his first year in office, amidst some of the poorest approval ratings of any French president after one year leading the country.

Left Front party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon organised the demonstration to clean up French politics and create a new and improved France – a “6th Republic.”

Mélenchon called out to the crowd: "We do not want the world of finance in power! We do not accept the politics of austerity!"

Protesters echoed his call, with many gathered at the Bastille waving flags mounted on brooms.

“It's a symbol for how they want to clean up a corrupt political system,” said Jérémie Ozog, who travelled from the French Riviera for Sunday’s protest.

“It's to say we are going to clean the institutions, but it's just a joke,” said Ozog. “The French media sometimes say it means something violent, but it's not against people. What we want to clean are their bad actions.”

Fellow protester Rémy Clic said he has no political affiliations, but is sick of government corruption.

“It's a message to say, guys, some of you have to go. It's time for more honest leadership in this country,” said Clic.

Hollande’s socialist government made headlines recently when ex-budget minister Jérôme Cahuzac stepped down after it came out that he held a secret Swiss bank account. A mass transparency drive by Hollande’s government, to combat tax evasion, showed surprising wealth amongst ministers.

Meanwhile, unemployment has climbed to 11 percent and France has failed in its attempts to bring down the budget deficit. Political corruption coupled with unending bad news on the economic front has caused many in France to lose faith in the government.

“We want to sweep away the government, because there are a lot of things that are wrong,” said 19-year-old Rubens Siebecte. “Our politicians have ties with the world of finance, and it smells.”

Socialists have complained that Mélenchon has divided the French political left, while the far-left has accused the socialists of cutting them out of decision-making.

Corinne Morel-Darleux, a Left Front official in the southeastern Alps region, said the real divisions come from the Socialists going back on promises to end austerity.

“Today it's Francois Hollande and the government's politics that divide the left,” said Morel-Darleux. “We think a march is the best way to gather people and give hope, because today hope is not coming from the government. It's coming from the streets.”

For the first time, the disaffection has brought out MPs and other members of the Green Party, who normally work with the Socialists in parliament. Parliamentary aide Sabrina Schliwanski says Hollande's government has broken too many promises.

“I am disappointed, even if I am included in the same institution,” says Schliwanski. “I think this meeting is important to say, please, don't forget the way you were elected, and why you were elected.”