MEP Bellamy: France will get back on its feet

“Democracy is an extremely fragile miracle.” These words are particularly relevant to France today, where political polarization, street protests and public distrust have become serious challenges facing the country.

Armenpress spoke with François-Xavier Bellamy, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from France, about France’s future, the ideological struggle between the right and the left, Europe’s democratic crisis and the true value of freedom.

Armenpress – Mr. Bellamy, thank you for joining us. How do you explain the deep political crisis France is experiencing today?

Bellamy – In fact, this is a crisis that has been developing for a long time, because our country is deeply divided and, at the same time, is facing a social crisis. The latter is the result of rising poverty, which, in my opinion, is the consequence of misguided policies pursued over many years.

But I want to tell everyone who loves France and is following developments there with concern today that France will get back on its feet. I am convinced of that.

We have presidential elections ahead of us, and they will be extremely important. We must ensure that these elections become an opportunity for the country to finally choose the path of bold reforms. They will make it possible to overcome general impoverishment and social tensions, restore national unity and prepare for the future.

– There is an expression in Armenia: “The knife has reached the bone.” In other words, this was the last straw. Perhaps this is why young people, or society in general, took to the streets. Don't you think it is unfortunate that all this is happening just six months before the presidential elections and could, in some way, negatively affect them? Or, on the contrary, is it better that it is happening now?

– First of all, I don't think it is unfortunate. This is not a coincidence but the result of a political force's strategy. I am referring in particular to La France Insoumise, which is a far-left political force. Today, it has a significant presence in polls and public opinion. Although it represents a minority, this force has decided to impose its position through violence.

I believe this is the most significant aspect of democratic life.

Of course, I am speaking about this also as a politically engaged person. I am an opponent of La France Insoumise, I support Bruno Retailleau in the presidential elections, and we are fighting against the spread of violence.

But I also look at this issue from a certain distance, as a citizen and a professor of philosophy. Democracy is an extremely fragile miracle. It requires every citizen, every party and every political camp to completely renounce violence.

When we hear statements today from elected officials, political leaders and people entrusted with a public mandate saying that violence can be justified, this is a serious cause for concern. For example, a mayor from La France Insoumise in the city of Saint-Denis, near Paris, made such a statement.

When we hear members of parliament and other elected officials attacking law enforcement agencies and declaring that the police are the embodiment of brutality, that the police kill, we must understand where this leads. If we say that the police kill, what conclusion should society draw? That it should defend itself against the police, even through violence?

It is precisely such statements that lay the groundwork for the scenes of chaos we witnessed in Paris and other French cities, which have shocked everyone who loves France and follows what is happening there.

Such words entail very serious responsibility. But I repeat: what is happening six months before the presidential elections is no coincidence.

– So, is this a pre-election political strategy? And is the traditional political divide between the right and the left still relevant in France's political reality today?

– Yes, I believe so. In fact, this divide is not simply a political distinction. It reflects two rather profound differences in political thinking and worldviews.

I have always felt that I belong to the right, but at the same time, I fully accept that the beauty of democracy lies in the fact that there is room for people who defend other visions and ideas.

Since the emergence of Western democracy, or, more broadly, liberal democracy, dating back to the French Revolution, when this divide took shape on the basis of where members of parliament sat in the parliamentary chamber, we have consistently witnessed this diversity of political thought.

The left views the world from the perspective of wanting, first and foremost, to change it. The left is anger, a revolt against injustice.

The right, meanwhile, views the world from the perspective of wanting, first and foremost, to preserve it and pass it on. This can mean caution, concern, and a desire to preserve and pass on to future generations what should become their inheritance.

This polarization has always existed. I believe it is also necessary for freedom of public debate. Democracy presupposes the existence of an alternative.

Today, I see a left-wing force in France that openly embraces its radicalism. I believe there must also be a right-wing force that presents its ideological integrity in a peaceful and balanced manner, while also being capable of defending an intellectually demanding agenda and an ambitious program of reforms necessary for the country's future.

– Is the French right capable today of offering a clear political alternative and expanding its electorate? In your opinion, do right-wing forces have that capacity?

– To answer honestly, we are not yet at the level we need to be to win the presidential elections. We have only a few months left, and I believe those months will be decisive.

The political history of our country shows that the results of October polls are never the same as those of April polls. In other words, we still have a road to travel. And when it comes to France, one must always be prepared for surprises.

But I believe we can achieve our goal. The reason is quite simple: France has never been this close to the ideas historically defended by the right. An overwhelming majority of French society shares these ideas.

The French know that in a country where the tax burden is among the highest among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member states, taxes need to be reduced, restrictions and costs imposed on businesses need to be eased, and greater freedom needs to be granted.

This is the right's main mission: to restore freedom to our economy and society.

The French also understand that security, law and order, the authority of the state, as well as the authority of schools in imparting knowledge, need to be restored.

These are the fundamental ideas that the right is historically called upon to defend. And these ideas enjoy majority support in the country.

Therefore, the real question is how to give political expression to the ideas of this national majority, as Bruno Retailleau, whom Armenians know well and who has been deeply involved in issues concerning Armenia, often says. He is our candidate today. We must give political form to the position of the national majority.

– You speak about freedom, but many Europeans and French people criticize this approach, pointing out that access to education and healthcare services is increasingly dependent on family income. In that case, doesn't talk of freedom negatively affect people's choices in relation to their income? Left-wing protesters who have taken to the streets often come from sections of society that have no guarantees of financial security or stability in their daily lives.

– You know, France is a very interesting example for anyone who wants to study the development of society.

We have tried every version of left-wing policy, to the fullest extent. Today, France has the most redistributive tax system among OECD member states. We have the highest compulsory levies and taxes. At the same time, we also have one of the most worrying levels of public debt in the European Union.

In other words, everything the left proposes—increasing debt, raising taxes and redistribution—we are implementing to the greatest extent possible.

Our public administration is also very large. The number of public-sector employees per capita significantly exceeds the figures for our European neighbors.

And yet, despite all this, we continue to face deep injustice within society.

I believe we must fight injustice. But I am convinced that we will succeed in this fight, that we will be able to overcome the impoverishment of the country and inequalities, particularly educational inequality, which you mentioned and which is undoubtedly one of the most serious problems. And we will do so precisely through freedom.

To achieve this, we must move away from the current model and grant greater freedom to our society, our country, our economy and our education system. We must also give teachers and citizens greater autonomy.

It is through this path that we will finally be able to restore the momentum of development in our society. I believe this is France's main challenge today.

– You spoke about democracy. Looking at the broader context of European democracy, are we witnessing a deeper crisis of democracy today? Europe is seeing a rise in populism and declining public trust in European institutions. At the same time, as you mentioned, there is talk of far-left forces. Is Europe facing a deep democratic crisis today?

– I believe this is not only a crisis of Europe but a crisis of the democratic world as a whole. All our democratic societies are facing the same difficulties.

I have always followed Armenia and developments in Armenian society with the same affection and interest. And I see that, for example, during elections, we face the same problems.

One of them is the spread of false information. Today, large amounts of disinformation are being generated through artificial intelligence, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish what is real from what is false.

Trust in the media and newspapers is also declining, even though their very mission is to make that distinction. Their position is being weakened by the emergence of social media platforms for the dissemination of information in real time.

Trust in public discourse is also declining. In a world where artificial intelligence can constantly generate texts and speech, it is becoming increasingly difficult to trust official statements.

All this is, of course, also connected with the mistakes and shortcomings of politicians and those entrusted with maintaining public trust.

But in any case, this distrust is growing everywhere today.

Therefore, together, we must find ways to enable our democracies to function in this new environment. We must guarantee freedom, which lies at the heart of our democratic life, while ensuring that this freedom is not used against democracy itself.

– Today's world is characterized by growing instability. What role should France play in Europe and on the international stage in general to overcome the challenges you have mentioned?

– France must play its role alongside other countries, without arrogance but also without timidity.

I hope it will regain the strength it needs to fulfill that role.

We have seen this during many discussions. For example, when Europe's silence was deafening as Armenia was coming under attack, France could and should have played an important role by trying to bring the Western world out of that inaction.

France has a role to play, but what concerns me most today is what I see every day in the European Parliament. France's domestic vulnerability, accumulated public debt, economic decline, tensions within society and the scenes of chaos you mentioned—all this does not remain within the country's borders. It is also visible abroad.

As a result, France's standing has been seriously damaged. I understand our neighbors, who find it difficult to place the same trust in and accord the same prestige to a country that is clearly unable to govern itself independently.

I hope the presidential elections will become an opportunity for France to restore its strength and, thanks to that, once again play a full role on the international stage.

– And perhaps we should hope that the people who took to the streets and participated in the protests will eventually go to the polls, realizing the importance of their choice. After all, voting is the way to try to change something.

– Of course. I believe this is precisely the message that should be conveyed to society.

– And what is your message? This is the question I wanted to get to. What would you say to young people or that segment of society whom some call left-wing and others far-left? What is your message to young people?

– First of all, I believe that there are not only young people with far-left views among the younger generation. We can clearly see that there is great anxiety among young people about the future, and this is entirely understandable.

Some have become politically engaged, while others, unfortunately, sometimes fall victim to manipulation.

In any case, my message is very simple. Young people in our country have many reasons to fight for their future. But that also means fighting for the future of their freedoms.

And no worthwhile goal can be achieved by entering a cycle of violence.

The upcoming elections will be an important moment. The opportunity to change our country certainly comes through voting, but also through participating in the decisive debate that will unfold ahead of the presidential elections.

Ultimately, a person can win their freedom only if they independently develop their judgment and ability to distinguish between things by reading, listening, obtaining information and forming their own opinion.

Democracy is indeed closely linked to reading, particularly reading information, because this is what enables us to form our own opinions.

I believe that in this world of immediacy, in this environment of screens and images, if I were to offer advice to young people who want to fight for their freedom and future, it would be to start reading again.

We are all at risk because our attention and ability to concentrate are constantly being fragmented.

Keeping a certain distance from all this and making time for one's own thoughts is, I believe, already a revolutionary act today.