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French judo champion Teddy Riner announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election in a video posted to social media and an interview with Le Parisien where he declared that resignation is not an option in the face of the country’s difficulties. The 37-year-old Guadeloupe-born athlete who holds five Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles stated that France needs common sense firmness justice and a state that sets things right rather than professional politicians who argue daily. According to Reuters the multiple champion framed his bid as a response to social fractures and a lack of ambition among young and old alike while insisting he would campaign on the ground with funding from donations and his own resources. Riner added that he intends to continue his judo career and potentially compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if the role and voters permit it.
A poll conducted by Ifop for LCI and Sud Radio in the days after the November 9 announcement found that 22 percent of respondents said they would be prepared to vote for Riner while 70 percent expressed a good opinion of him. The survey showed stronger potential support among Socialist sympathizers and those close to the center with 78 percent overall ruling out a vote for the judoka. Le Parisien reported that an Odoxa poll for Le Figaro produced contrasting results indicating 57 percent of French people believe Riner was wrong to enter the race although 42 percent approved and 4 percent spontaneously named him as their preferred 2027 choice. His announcement video has accumulated more than 25 million views across platforms according to coverage in Le Figaro.
President Emmanuel Macron reacted positively to the news telling France 5 that he was very happy a great champion was getting involved and that it could only benefit the country. Former prime minister Edouard Philippe welcomed what he called a candidate of weight while Dominique de Villepin described Riner as a man of experience whose voice counts. The judoka has assembled initial support from figures including former health minister Francois Braun who cited Riner’s desire to unite rather than divide the French and entrepreneur Philippe Veran a one-time Macron backer who is heading the campaign’s financing association.
Riner who describes himself as apolitical and neither from the left nor the right said his thinking began after the 2024 Paris Olympics when the nation came together in pride and happiness only to divide weeks later. France 24 reported that he cited this autumn’s public anger and sense that no one is addressing it as the final push to act insisting the move is serious and that he would go all the way despite a crowded field. The candidate must still obtain the signatures of 500 elected officials to qualify for the ballot a standard requirement that will test his appeal beyond his sporting fame.
The surprise candidacy arrives as current polling for the 2027 contest shows far-right leader Marine Le Pen in a strong position for the first round with other established figures also declared. Riner has emphasised he wants to refuse chaos and serve as a unifying figure who fights alongside the French people rather than from above. Coverage from Variety noted that the announcement comes against a backdrop of recent protests over living costs and school conditions that have added to national tensions in recent months.
