As part of a training session organized by ASSEDEL, Emmanuel Fernandes, a Member of Parliament (MP) for La France Insoumise (LFI), engaged in an open discussion about his political journey, parliamentary responsibilities, and pressing national and international issues. The session provided valuable insights into his stance on defense policies, social justice, environmental concerns, and the growing influence of the far-right. Throughout the discussion, he answered a series of direct questions posed by the audience, shedding light on his views on re-arming Europe, military spending, nuclear energy, and the future challenges facing the European Union.
A Citizen That Happened to Become a Member of Parliament
Emmanuel Fernandes was first elected in June 2022 to represent the Esplanade constituency in Strasbourg and was re-elected in 2024 following the dissolution of the National Assembly by President Emmanuel Macron. His political path was far from traditional, as he described himself as “a citizen that happened to become a Member of Parliament.” Unlike many career politicians, he did not envision himself in office but was drawn into public service after years of activism.
Before entering politics, Fernandes spent nearly 20 years in the industrial sector, working in a cement manufacturing company specializing in gearbox production for plants. His political engagement began in 2012 with Le Parti de Gauche, founded by Jean-Luc Mélenchon. After traveling and broadening his perspective, he returned to France and became deeply involved in La France Insoumise, eventually being selected as a candidate through the movement’s grassroots democratic process. In Strasbourg, twelve action groups operate within the party structure, five of which cover his constituency. It was through these local groups that he was chosen to represent his movement in the 2022 elections.
Upon his election in June 2022, he had to quickly adapt to the workings of Parliament, learning everything about legislative processes while staying true to his activist roots.
The Role of an MP: Between Representation and National Duty
As an MP, Fernandes emphasizes that he serves both a national and local role. Although elected by a specific constituency, he insists that he is not just a local representative but a “deputy of the nation.” His duty is to defend the interests of his constituents while participating in the broader legislative process.
He is a member of the National Defense and Armed Forces Committee, one of the eight permanent committees of the National Assembly. These committees reflect the political composition of the chamber, ensuring proportional representation. His work involves voting on military-related laws, overseeing defense policies, and questioning military officials. While he has the right to attend other committee meetings, his voting power is limited to his own committee. Every Wednesday morning, committee meetings take place, and plenary sessions, where laws are debated and voted on, often overlap with committee work in Brussels
A Major Environmental Scandal in Alsace: The Stocamine Case
During the discussion, Fernandes mentioned his upcoming interview on BFMTV Alsace, where he would be speaking about Stocamine, a former mining site turned toxic waste storage facility located 500 meters underground in Alsace.
“For 30 years, 40,000 tons of hazardous waste have been stored directly above the Rhine aquifer, which supplies drinking water to 8 million people in France and Germany,” he explained. He is actively campaigning for the removal of these toxic materials to prevent a potential environmental disaster.
The Elephant in the Room: The Right-Wing Parties and Re-Arming Europe
One of the most pressing concerns in contemporary French politics, according to Fernandes, is “the elephant in the room, the right-wing parties.” He believes that the rise of far-right movements poses a fundamental threat to democracy, equality, and social justice. The upcoming elections, he warns, will be decisive in determining whether France moves toward greater inclusivity or further polarization.
This led to the first audience question:
Q: What do you think about re-arming Europe?
Fernandes and La France Insoumise have historically opposed France’s alignment under NATO, advocating instead for an independent foreign policy. He referenced General de Gaulle’s decision to withdraw from NATO’s integrated command, a move reversed by Nicolas Sarkozy, which Fernandes considers a strategic mistake. He believes that re-arming Europe is primarily a response to U.S. pressure, particularly under Donald Trump, who demanded that NATO members increase military spending to 5% of GDP.
For Fernandes, this push for militarization disproportionately benefits American arms manufacturers, as 60% of European defense purchases come from the U.S., while France—Europe’s second-largest arms producer—accounts for only 6.5% of sales. Instead of engaging in an arms race, he argues that Europe should prioritize diplomacy. While he unequivocally condemns Russia’s aggression, he also believes that past diplomatic opportunities were missed, and that military spending should not take precedence over social and environmental concerns.
Military Spending vs. Social Justice: Who Decides Where Public Money Goes?
Another key point of discussion was the imbalance between military spending and social investment, which prompted the following question:
Q: Why is debt allowed for the military but not for social justice?
Fernandes criticized the 3% deficit rule, which restricts government spending beyond a set percentage of GDP. He argued that this limit was arbitrarily imposed by a small group of right-wing policymakers and does not reflect economic necessity. While European nations are forced to adhere to strict fiscal constraints, both China and the U.S. have abandoned such austerity measures in favor of state-driven economic policies.
Instead of focusing on military expansion, Fernandes insists that Europe should redirect its resources toward social programs, economic justice, and ecological transition.
France and Nuclear Policy: Energy and Weapons
The discussion then turned to nuclear policy, leading to the following question:
Q: What is your party’s stance on nuclear weapons and nuclear energy?
Fernandes and La France Insoumise support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and advocate for global nuclear disarmament. However, he insists that disarmament must be carried out methodically and multilaterally, not unilaterally, to avoid weakening France’s strategic position.
On nuclear energy, LFI strongly opposes Macron’s expansion plans, arguing that nuclear power is not a sustainable solution due to the lack of effective waste management.
The Future of Europe: What Challenges Lie Ahead?
A final audience question addressed broader geopolitical concerns:
Q: What are the biggest challenges the European Union will face in the coming years?
Fernandes outlined several major threats, beginning with war and security issues. While he does not believe Russia intends to invade Europe, he sees an alarming trend: political leaders across Europe are preparing for war rather than prioritizing diplomatic solutions. Trade tensions with the United States and China also pose significant risks, particularly as the U.S. imposes higher tariffs on European goods, creating what he calls “an economic war”.
However, the greatest challenge, in his view, is the far-right’s growing influence in European politics. The European Parliament, once a stronghold for rule of law and fundamental rights, is increasingly being infiltrated by extremist parties whose values contradict those of equality and democracy. He considers this trend a serious danger to Europe’s future, necessitating strong political resistance.
In response to this threat, he will be attending a protest at Place Kléber this Saturday at 3 PM against far-right extremism, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing citizens in defense of democratic values.
Looking Ahead: Legislative Priorities and Activism
As Fernandes continues his work in Parliament, he remains focused on social justice, environmental protection, and economic reform. Next week, he plans to question the government on prison conditions in France, a major concern for the Council of Europe due to severe overcrowding and human rights violations.
This ASSEDEL training session provided a unique opportunity to hear directly from an MP who remains deeply engaged in both legislative work and grassroots activism. His reflections offer a powerful perspective on the current political landscape in France and Europe, as well as the challenges ahead for progressive movements.