French Essayist Natacha Polony Hints at Presidential Run to 'Give French People Back Their Voice'

Natacha Polony, a prominent essayist and director of the magazine L'Audace!, has signaled a potential move into electoral politics, announcing the formation of a movement designed to rally "all the orphans of politics" and the "vital forces of the country." Speaking to Le Parisien, Polony expressed a desire to "disrupt the political game, which is today sclerotic and locked," aiming to "give the French people back their voice."

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all the orphans of politics, the vital forces of the country who are waiting to come together to bring France back to life.

While stopping short of a formal presidential declaration, Polony candidly stated that she "excludes nothing" when asked about a potential candidacy for the Élysée Palace. She indicated that the timing is not yet right for adding another name to the crowded political landscape, but her intention to "take my part in this great presidential debate" is clear. This move follows months of speculation, during which Polony had previously spoken of her ambition to "influence" public debate rather than seek office.

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I want to disrupt the political game, which is today sclerotic and locked, to give the French people back their voice.

Polony positions herself outside the traditional left-right political spectrum, drawing inspiration from "social Gaullism" exemplified by Philippe Séguin and the "republican left" of Jean-Pierre Chevènement. Her primary policy proposal is to "declare a state of emergency for production," arguing that France's dependence on foreign energy and food supplies compromises its freedom and democracy. "If we do not produce, we will disappear," she asserted, describing the current situation as a "real" but "absolutely not irreversible" decline.

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I exclude nothing

Further outlining her economic vision, Polony prioritizes salaries, advocating for a reduction in both employee and employer contributions. She believes this would enable companies to "very significantly increase salaries" by regaining margins. Additionally, she suggested a need to "question" the amount of work in France, without explicitly committing to maintaining or altering the 35-hour work week. Polony also distanced herself from a website titled "Polony 2027," suggesting it was not her initiative.

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My lineage is the social Gaullism of Philippe Séguin and the republican left of Jean-Pierre Chevènement. That is my political history.