2027 Presidential Election: Mélenchon promises 500,000 nursery places, but admits he has not yet costed his measure

Jean-Luc Mélenchon wants to make early childhood education one of the major projects in his presidential platform. Invited this Thursday, November 12th, to the "Grand Oral" program organized by franceinfo at the Maison de la Radio, the La France Insoumise candidate announced his intention to create 500,000 childcare places as part of a new public early childhood service. He also wants to end public funding for private daycare centers, believing that state resources should be primarily allocated to public facilities. However, when questioned about the cost of such a program, the leader of La France Insoumise was unable to provide a precise estimate. "The figures are coming," he simply told journalists, leaving the question of how this promise would be financed open.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon justifies his proposal by citing the difficulties many parents face in finding childcare. "One in two parents is left without a solution," he asserts, arguing that the lack of nursery places prevents some French people, particularly women, from returning to or continuing their professional activity. He denounces a situation in which parents must simultaneously care for their children and meet the demands of their employers. The La France Insoumise candidate also criticizes policies aimed at raising the retirement age, believing they reduce the availability of grandparents to help families. For him, the creation of new places must therefore be accompanied by a genuine development of public services, and not simply an increase in the number of existing facilities.

A considerable undertaking for public finances and recruitment

Achieving this goal would, however, require a significant investment in equipment, training, and recruitment. Jean-Luc Mélenchon himself acknowledges that he would not be able to immediately hire all the necessary staff and that a gradual increase in staffing levels would be essential. He promises to improve the pay of early childhood professionals, a sector marked by recruitment difficulties and a high proportion of women. The end of public funding for private daycare centers also raises several questions: the future of currently subsidized facilities, their potential transformation, and the continuity of care for the families who use them. The candidate has not yet detailed the procedures for this transition.

During his speech, Jean-Luc Mélenchon announced a broader plan to invest €22 billion in public services within the first few months of a potential term in office. This sum, however, covers his entire platform and is not specifically earmarked for the 500,000 new childcare places. He particularly wants to increase staffing levels in government, schools, and healthcare, arguing that current difficulties stem from a lack of personnel. But the presentation of his proposals still leaves several questions unanswered, notably regarding the annual operating costs of the new childcare centers and the opening schedule.