French centrist-left Member of the European Parliament Raphaël Glucksmann has formally declared his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election, vowing to “restore” France. The 46-year-old documentary filmmaker — son of philosopher André Glucksmann and known for his staunch opposition to Vladimir Putin’s Russia — joins a growing field of contenders seeking to succeed President Emmanuel Macron.
A Unifying Figure for the Center-Left?
With just over eight months until the first round of voting on April 18, 2027, Glucksmann aims to rally the fragmented social-democratic camp against both radical left and far-right forces. Speaking on TF1, he said: “I am running to restore France — because, frankly, we all feel a knot in our stomachs when we think about what could happen in our country in the coming months.”
He will take part in the Socialists’ and his own party, Place Publique’s joint primary process this October, designed to select a single center-left presidential candidate. Several Socialist figures have already signaled their intent to run — though speculation remains about whether Olivier Faure, First Secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), might enter the race.
Positioning and Polling
Though relatively new to national politics, Glucksmann gained visibility after winning 13.8% in the 2024 European elections. He spent the summer crisscrossing France, building grassroots support. Current polling places him at around 10–11% — the strongest showing among center-left candidates, though still behind Jean-Luc Mélenchon (15%), leader of the radical-left La France Insoumise (LFI).
Glucksmann reaffirmed his opposition to LFI while reaching out to Greens — praising their warnings about the climate crisis — and to Communists, with whom he says he shares a common goal: the “reindustrialization” of France.
Economic Priorities
His platform centers on raising workers’ net incomes by reducing payroll deductions — a measure he plans to fund by taxing the wealthiest 1%, including ultra-high-net-worth individuals. A pro-European Union voice, Glucksmann rejects accusations from some on the left that he has shifted toward the political center, insisting his vision remains rooted in social justice and democratic renewal.
Critics, however, question his perceived elitism — a perception partly shaped by early political experience working alongside former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in Georgia. His candidacy also triggered personal consequences: his partner, journalist Léa Salamé, stepped down from hosting France 2’s evening news bulletin to avoid conflicts of interest.
As Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, the list of declared or potential successors continues to grow. In current polls, Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally (RN) leads the field ahead of the April vote.