Rugby: Former Prop and Provale President Malik Hamadache Runs for Senate Alongside David Lisnard

Malik Hamadache, a former international rugby player and current president of the professional rugby players' union (Provale), is entering the political arena as a candidate for the senatorial elections in Hérault, France. Hamadache, who previously played for Pau and Montpellier, was elected to the municipal council of Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone in March.

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I am a child of the neighborhoods, of rugby and of sport as a social elevator. Today, this elevator is broken for too many French people. Meritocracy is receding, and this is not the France I want to leave to our children.

He announced his candidacy for the upcoming senatorial elections, leading a four-person list under the banner "Nouvelle énergie" (New energy), aligned with David Lisnard. Hamadache, who represented Algeria internationally and played against the All Blacks with France in a non-official match, stated his intention to bring a "real and factual" perspective to politics. He views rugby and sport as crucial avenues for social mobility, expressing concern that this pathway is becoming less accessible for many French citizens.

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A strong, modern, and territorially rooted right-wing

An entrepreneur in the medical equipment sector, Hamadache is aligning himself with the mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard. Lisnard praised Hamadache's "remarkable career as a high-level athlete" and his commitment to "liberty, merit, and elevation through sport." Hamadache aims to embody a "strong, modern, and territorially rooted right-wing" political stance, advocating for the unification of right-wing forces and a project-based campaign rather than relying on traditional party labels. Discussions are reportedly underway with various right-wing parties to form a united front.

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a remarkable career as a high-level athlete and his will to serve liberty, merit, and elevation through sport