“For the French, the Presidential Election Is a Threat,” Dominique Reynié Warns

“The presidential election, for the French, is no longer a solution. It has become a problem, and even a threat.” Dominique Reynié opened his appearance on Le Figaro TV with that warning, arguing that France’s democratic system is nearing a breaking point.

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The presidential election, for the French, is no longer a solution. It has become a problem, and even a threat.

The director general of the Fondapol think tank was discussing its new study, “The Presidential Election: The French Torment.” He said the election could expose the country to financial risks, particularly if the presidential and legislative results diverged. Emmanuel Macron failed to secure an absolute majority after winning the presidency in 2022, and that setback was confirmed after his decision to dissolve parliament in June 2024.

Reynié said a politically weakened president could encourage voters to seek “a strong man who would not have to worry about elections.” He said that temptation exists on both the right and the left, adding that 20 percent of Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s electorate thought in those terms. He also pointed to the 2022 results, when anti-system candidates collected 58 percent of the vote.

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a strong man who would not have to worry about elections

In his view, no candidate now commands the support of half the French electorate. He said that 70 percent of voters either abstain, cast blank ballots or vote for an anti-system candidate. Without a solution by 2027, he warned, democracy could be threatened because the country’s main election would no longer resolve its political problems.

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If we do not find a solution in 2027, democracy is threatened. It has reached the end of its road.

Reynié concluded that France’s resilience is at risk as violence returns to public life. He said the presidential election could give Europe’s enemies, Islamist networks or drug traffickers an opportunity to put France in serious difficulty. “If there is no strong political reaction, we will face the worst in the years to come,” he said.

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The French presidential election is an opportunity for Europe’s enemies, Islamist networks or drug traffickers to put us in the worst possible difficulties.