Raphaël Glucksmann aims to beat Mélenchon in French presidential race

Social‑democratic leader Raphaël Glucksmann announced he will wait three months before formally declaring his candidacy for France’s 2027 presidential election. He said he is confident he can "fold" far‑left leader Jean‑Luc Mélenchon in a first‑round contest, arguing that most left‑wing voters reject permanent societal fracture. Glucksmann stressed the need for a unified, democratic and republican left, and warned that sending Mélenchon to a runoff would benefit the far‑right.

He indicated that any eventual launch would be backed by a team rather than appearing as a personal venture, and that talks with allies such as the Socialist Party and the progressive group Place Publique are accelerating. The upcoming campaign meeting in Saint‑Denis will be Mélenchon’s first major rally, while Glucksmann seeks to gather the fragmented left forces ahead of the election.