Zohran Mamdani's election as New York mayor has drawn enthusiastic congratulations from French 'insoumis' and ecologists. They see it as a lesson for a radical left capable of governing without compromise. The win resonates as hope against the far right.
On November 5, 2025, Zohran Mamdani, a socialist and Queens representative in the New York State Assembly, was elected mayor of the largest U.S. city. He will become the first Muslim mayor of New York on January 1, a resolute opponent of Donald Trump. The win fits into a strong night for Democrats, with gains in Virginia, New Jersey, and California.
In France, La France insoumise (LFI) 'insoumis' and ecologists rejoiced at this progressive Democratic figure, who rose through a program for working classes and youth, and a pro-Palestinian stance. Mathilde Panot, LFI parliamentary leader, posted on X: “This victory carries a lesson: only the breaking left can beat the far right.”
LFI deputy Clémence Guetté listed lessons: “turn the page on the disgusting old left, not change course amid floods of insults and lies from the media system, abandon nothing of the radicalism of proposals.” MEP Manon Aubry added: “Facing the media, economic, and political establishment that spent tens of millions of dollars to block him, Zohran Mamdani overturned the table with radically concrete proposals (rent freeze, free buses, public creches…) and never averted his gaze from racism and Gaza.”
François Ruffin, in the ecologist group, highlighted the method: “How did he overturn the table? Through a primary. Through social issues as obsession. Through grassroots campaigning. Through a candidate who gets covered.” Ecologists' national secretary Marine Tondelier judged: “In the ongoing fascist shift in the U.S., this victory is an incredible source of hope and inspiration for the left that neither renounces its values nor governing to change people's lives now.”
Ecologist deputy Clémentine Autain echoed: “This frankly left-wing profile, with radical and concrete proposals, must be a source of inspiration for our French left.” From the Socialist side, Olivier Faure felt “perfectly in phase” with the program, especially public services defense, but nuanced: “He claims to be a socialist, but American-style. He’s not an 'insoumis.'”
PS Paris mayoral candidate Emmanuel Grégoire saw a sign for 2026: “Let’s draw from this momentum to open the path to a left victory in Paris in 2026 against extreme and reactionary rights that turn their back on social and climate urgencies.” The sole dissenting voice, radical left Guillaume Lacroix, said he was “worried but not surprised to see in France the 'Chavez' left and the 'Kamala' left reconciled, in ecstasy and triumphant this morning for winning New York last night, from their sofas, thanks to their decisive tweets.”
LFI notes that the Democratic primary did not prevent opponent Andrew Cuomo from running independently, strengthening their refusal of a 2027 primary.