Zemmour Vows Reconquête Will Field Candidate 'Until the End' in 2027 French Election
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Éric Zemmour, president of the Reconquête party, has stated that his party will field a candidate for the 2027 French presidential election.
- Zemmour emphasized that Reconquête will maintain its candidate "until the end," regardless of potential pressure for a unified right-wing candidacy.
- He also expressed significant disagreements with the National Rally (RN) on economic issues, Islam, and social welfare, and noted differences with The Republicans (LR) on immigration policy.
In a clear declaration from the "Grand Jury RTL-Le Figaro-M6-Public Sénat," Éric Zemmour, the leader of Reconquête, has affirmed his party's unwavering commitment to presenting a candidate in the 2027 presidential election. This stance signals a determination to carve out a distinct political space for his movement, even if it means diverging from broader calls for a unified right-wing front. Zemmour's assertion that Reconquête will stand firm "until the end" underscores his party's ambition and its refusal to be sidelined in the upcoming political contest.
We are not the kind to give in to the pressure of what I call the horsemen of the apocalypse - Larcher, Copé, Pécresse and others Bertrand - so that they bow down to Mr. Philippe.
Zemmour articulated significant ideological gulfs separating Reconquête from other major right-wing factions, particularly the National Rally (RN). He highlighted fundamental disagreements on crucial issues such as economic policy, the approach to Islam, and the administration of social welfare programs. These are not minor policy differences; they represent core divergences in vision for France's future. Furthermore, while acknowledging potential common ground with The Republicans (LR) on certain principles, Zemmour sharply criticized their historical role in immigration policy, tracing current challenges back to decisions made decades ago.
The first round, you have to choose your convictions, you shouldn't look at the polls: is the RN's program the most likely to correspond to the convictions of right-wing voters?
From our vantage point, Zemmour's pronouncements are more than just pre-election maneuvering; they represent a strategic positioning aimed at consolidating a specific segment of the French electorate. While acknowledging the possibility of a primary, he rightly points out its diminishing likelihood due to the reluctance of key figures like Édouard Philippe and Jordan Bardella to participate. This leaves the door open for Reconquête to present its distinct platform, appealing to voters who may feel unrepresented by the more established parties. The emphasis on "convictions" over "polls" suggests a commitment to ideological purity, a hallmark of Zemmour's political brand, which aims to galvanize his base and differentiate him in a crowded political field.
With Bruno Retailleau, we can get closer on principles and ideas, but I have a disagreement with what his party has done for forty years, which is, before the left, the main responsible for the migratory invasion.
Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.