Karim Bouamrane launches presidential bid as left‑wing feud erupts

Karim Bouamrane, the socialist mayor of Saint‑Ouen‑sur‑Seine, announced his candidacy for the French presidential election (targeting the 2027 race). During a meeting supporting fellow socialist Nicolas Mayer‑Rossignol, Bouamrane shouted at La France Insoumise deputy Éric Coquerel, saying “if you come at us we’ll beat you up,” a remark that was quickly circulated online. Coquerel condemned the statement as violent and demanding an apology, highlighting growing tensions within the French left.

Bouamrane, a son of Moroccan immigrants and former PCF activist, has positioned himself as a media‑savvy alternative to the party’s more radical wing, rejecting any alliance with La France Insoumise. He has been dubbed the “Barack Obama of the Seine” by some outlets and is courting support from centrist and radical‑chic circles while facing criticism from LFI members. The episode underscores the fractures in the Socialist Party as it seeks a clear direction ahead of the upcoming presidential contest.