Socialist leader Olivier Faure declares bid for France’s left-wing primary

Olivier Faure has entered the race for France’s left-wing primary, ending a period of uncertainty just one day after addressing the Socialist Party’s summer gathering in Blois.

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I am a candidate for the presidency of the Republic because I want to carry forward a fairer France

Faure, the party’s first secretary and a 58-year-old lawmaker, announced his candidacy on TF1. “I am a candidate for the presidency of the Republic because I want to carry forward a fairer France,” he said, promising to “rebuild everything” and “repair everything” after what he described as 10 years of “immense waste.”

The bid marks the first time Faure, who has led the Socialist Party for eight years, has sought the Élysée Palace. In 2022, he stepped aside for Anne Hidalgo, whose 1.7% result became the party’s worst presidential performance.

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rebuild everything

Faure is the fifth declared candidate for the primary, scheduled for Oct. 9-10 and 16-17. His rivals include Place Publique European lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann, lawmakers Jérôme Guedj and Philippe Brun, and former presidential candidate Ségolène Royal. Glucksmann is described as the early favorite, with between 10% and 15% support in polling.

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I am a candidate for the presidential election, he is a candidate for the election. There can be no agreement.

Glucksmann welcomed Faure’s candidacy but criticized those he said were focused on internal left-wing negotiations and might eventually align with Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Faure rejected any agreement with Mélenchon, saying, “I am a candidate for the presidential election, he is a candidate for the election. There can be no agreement.” Faure’s support has stood between 3.5% and 5% in polls when tested, but he argued that presidential races often defy expectations.

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nothing happens as expected