Raphael Glucksmann Launches 2027 French Presidential Bid

French centre-left politician Raphael Glucksmann officially launched his campaign for the 2027 French presidential election on Sunday, setting up a battle for leadership of the divided left as Marine Le Pen and the far right dominate early opinion polls.

“Yes, I am a candidate for the presidential election,” Glucksmann told French television channel TF1. He framed his campaign as an effort to prevent the far right from taking power, saying he could not remain on the sidelines as France faces a potentially decisive political choice.

Le Pen currently leads first-round voting intentions, according to opinion polls, leaving potential challengers from the political centre and left facing a difficult path to victory in a runoff.

Glucksmann must also compete with hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, who remains a powerful figure among left-wing voters. Although Glucksmann trails Melenchon in polling, his candidacy could become a focal point for moderate and centre-left forces seeking a unified alternative.

“The left can win the presidential election if it stands firm on its principles,” Glucksmann said, adding that political leaders must “stop being afraid of Melenchon.”

A pro-European member of the European Parliament, Glucksmann led the mainstream left alliance in the 2024 European Parliament election, securing 14% of the vote. While he has criticised some of President Emmanuel Macron’s pro-business economic policies, he shares Macron’s strong support for the European Union and Ukraine. Glucksmann has also positioned himself as a defender of liberal democracy.

His announcement comes as French politicians return from the summer break and begin preparations for the presidential election scheduled for April and May 2027. The contest is expected to be highly polarised, with the far right, political centre and competing left-wing factions battling for support.

Glucksmann’s personal life has also attracted attention because of his relationship with Lea Salame, presenter of France 2’s flagship evening news programme. French media have frequently described the pair as a prominent political-media “power couple.”

Salame is reportedly expected to step away from her public broadcaster anchoring duties during the presidential campaign to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.