Left-Wing Populism and Environmental Issues: An Analysis of La France Insoumise's 'Popular Environmentalism'.

This article examines the interaction between populism and environmentalism within populist radical left parties, focusing on Jean-Luc Mélenchon's parties, Parti de gauche (2008–2016) and La France insoumise (LFI, from 2016). It demonstrates that LFI has progressively integrated an ambitious green agenda into its platform, driven by ideological innovation, growing public concern for environmental issues, and party competition. The study identifies a "green populism" nexus in LFI's discourse, where ecosocialist ideology combines with populist elements—anti-elitism and people-centrism—to blame capitalism, economic elites, and political elites for the environmental crisis while portraying the people as both victims and key agents of the green transition. This case highlights how left-wing populism can incorporate environmentalism into its antagonistic framing, contrasting with the climate-sceptic populism often associated with radical right parties.