Éric Zemmour has formally announced another bid for the French presidency, pairing his campaign launch with proposals to deport more foreign residents. The Reconquête leader won 7 percent in the first round in 2022. His declaration starts a new campaign stage, while participation in the 2027 ballot still requires endorsements from elected officials.
Geopolitics··Morning
A second presidential campaign
Éric Zemmour, leader of France’s far-right Reconquête party, used a television interview on November 10 to formally enter the 2027 presidential election. On TF1, Zemmour presented immigration restrictions alongside his candidacy. It is his second attempt to win the presidency, following a first-round result of 7 percent in 2022.[1], [2]
The former essayist argued that France was in decline and that other candidates and programmes could not reverse it. Those assertions are his campaign argument. Reconquête’s current elected presence comprises one member of the European Parliament and some local representatives, as Zemmour seeks to build support for another national contest.[1]
Deportation proposals anchor the launch
Zemmour said he wanted two million fewer immigrants in France by the end of a five-year presidential term. One proposed route was deportation of foreign residents who had been unemployed for more than six months. These proposals were presented as objectives for a presidency he is seeking; they have the status of campaign commitments.[1]
His statements also come against a history of convictions for incitement to discrimination or hatred, or racial insult. On November 3, French communications regulator Arcom referred some of his comments on rolling news channels to judicial authorities. The regulator considered remarks following looting around October 17 demonstrations to be a call for discrimination.[1]
The proposed six-month unemployment rule would also cover foreigners living in France legally, according to Zemmour’s televised explanation. He presented the residence-status point together with his numerical immigration target, broadening the group he said he wanted removed.[2]
Endorsements determine access to the ballot
For the Zemmour contest, roughly forty people are already declared or potential candidates for the 2027 contest. To qualify for the first round, Zemmour needs at least 500 endorsements from elected officials. The Constitutional Council must receive those signatures by March 18, following the opening of the submission period in February. The first round is scheduled for April 18.[1]
