EU lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann to run for French presidency

European Union lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann has declared his intention to run for the French presidency, aiming to offer a liberal democratic alternative and prevent the country from falling under the control of the far-right. The 46-year-old politician, a member of the Place Publique party, announced his candidacy on the TF1 television channel, stating his goal is to "restore France."

Glucksmann's bid will be formalized through a primary election within the socialist movement in October, where he will compete for the joint candidacy of Place Publique and the Socialist Party (PS). He has served as a Member of the European Parliament since 2019, notably heading a committee investigating Russian foreign influence operations within the EU. Before entering politics, Glucksmann was a writer and is the son of the late philosopher André Glucksmann.

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Do we want to leave our country to the extreme right? Faced with such a decision, I could not stand idly by.

During his announcement, Glucksmann directly addressed the political climate, asking, "Do we want to leave our country to the extreme right?" He emphasized that the left could secure victory in the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for April 2027, if it remains united and adheres to its principles. He specifically urged the left not to fear Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a prominent left-wing populist who has also announced his candidacy.

The political landscape sees incumbent Emmanuel Macron ineligible to run for a third term. Potential candidates from the center-left include former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. While Glucksmann has voiced criticism of some of Macron's economic policies, he shares a similar pro-European and pro-Ukraine stance. He faces competition from Marine Le Pen, who is expected to be the candidate for the far-right Rassemblement National, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who is running for the fourth time. Glucksmann's alliance achieved 14% in the 2024 European elections, but current polls place him behind Mélenchon.

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The left can win the presidential election if it sticks to its principles.