Raphaël Glucksmann, a European lawmaker, has called for the French centre-left to engage in an “existential battle” to prevent Marine Le Pen’s far-right from winning the 2027 presidential election. Glucksmann, founder of the Place Publique party, emerged victorious in a centre-left primary organized by the Socialist party.
In his first interview since being chosen as the presidential candidate on Sunday, Glucksmann expressed to France Inter radio that France is at a "historic moment" with the far right close to power. He predicted that the 2027 presidential campaign would be particularly intense and unlike any previous election, emphasizing the need for the centre-left to believe in victory and restore pride in social democracy.
Currently, the centre-left lags behind both the far right in polls and radical left politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon, despite high support for Mélenchon. Mélenchon, however, will not align with Glucksmann. At 46, Glucksmann, an essayist and intellectual, differentiates himself from career politicians and is known for his strong pro-European and pro-Ukraine stance. His candidacy marks the first time the Socialist party will not have its own candidate since its inception in 1969, following two recent electoral defeats.
Glucksmann, a European Parliament member since 2019, presents a reformist and centrist perspective, having previously cooperated with the Socialist party. His ambitions for the presidency required the party's support. Polls place him between 9% and 14%, trailing Le Pen and centre-right contender Édouard Philippe, a former prime minister under Macron. He also lags behind Mélenchon, who boycotted the Socialist primary.
Tasked with reclaiming centre-left voters who supported Macron, Glucksmann faces criticism from the left for being too centrist. He criticized Macron for his inaction on the climate crisis over the past decade. Internationally, Glucksmann has raised awareness on issues like the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and advised former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili.
Glucksmann worries about the social-democratic left's loss of the working class in France, advocating for a renewed focus on radical environmental policies. He told Libération that his intellectual background helps him explain current challenges without relying on slogans.
His partner, Léa Salamé, a prominent French broadcaster, has stepped down from presenting evening news during his presidential campaign.
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