Far-right French politician Éric Zemmour announces 2027 presidential bid

Éric Zemmour, leader of the Reconquête party, has announced his candidacy for the French presidential election scheduled for next year, bringing the issues of national identity and immigration back to the forefront of France's political debate.

In a televised interview with TF1, Zemmour confirmed his intention to run officially, stating that his campaign aims to preserve French identity and ensure the country's future remains in the hands of the French people.

Zemmour, a former journalist and media figure known as one of France’s most controversial political voices, is recognized for his hardline stances on Islam and immigration. He previously ran in the 2022 presidential election, securing only 7 percent of the vote in the first round.

In 2020, Zemmour was convicted over remarks targeting Muslims wearing traditional religious attire, describing their presence in France as part of a “conquest” and “colonization.”

His announcement comes as the French political scene intensifies in the run-up to the next presidential race, with growing competition among various political factions.

A poll published Monday showed rising support for both far-right leader Marine Le Pen and far-left rival Jean-Luc Mélenchon ahead of the 2027 election, with current surveys placing Le Pen among the frontrunners for the presidency.