“Macron with much more muscle”: Ruffin attacks Teddy Riner, Lisnard denounces the condescension of his detractors

Teddy Riner 's candidacy for the 2027 presidential election is already provoking strong reactions in the political class. The day after the five-time Olympic champion's surprise announcement, François Ruffin chose irony to comment on his entry into the race. "Teddy Riner is Macron with a lot more muscles," the Somme MP declared on RMC radio on Tuesday, November 10, suggesting that the judoka's initial proposals outlined a "pro-business" economic plan. The left-wing MP Danièle Obono also challenged the champion's self-proclaimed political stance, as he presents himself as "neither right nor left." "He's right-wing," she summarized on social media. These criticisms come as Teddy Riner begins to unveil his positions on employment, pensions, public spending, and security.

These attacks did not leave David Lisnard unmoved. The mayor of Cannes and president of Nouvelle Énergie said he was "appalled" by the "condescension" of certain political figures and commentators towards the judoka. Speaking on X, he explained that he did not want to underestimate Riner's approach and was waiting to learn more precisely about his project and method. David Lisnard also noted that Teddy Riner expresses, in his candidacy video, several observations and objectives that he himself has long defended. Without announcing any political alliance, the presidential candidate believes that the absence of a traditional partisan background is not enough to disqualify a candidacy. This position contrasts with the criticisms of those who doubt the champion's legitimacy to run for the Élysée Palace.

Patrick Kanner suspects a candidacy orchestrated by Macron

The controversy took on a new dimension with Patrick Kanner's statements. Interviewed by Public Sénat, the president of the Socialist group in the Senate asserted his belief that Emmanuel Macron was behind Teddy Riner's candidacy. He based this assertion on the very warm welcome extended to the Olympic champion by the President on Monday evening, as well as the presence of figures who had been part of the presidential entourage alongside the new candidate. Several former public officials, including François Braun, are said to be among those associated with Riner's initiative. However, this is a political suspicion voiced by Patrick Kanner: no publicly available evidence has established that the candidacy was organized or decided by the Élysée Palace. Other leaders of the centrist bloc also dispute this interpretation.

Édouard Philippe , Gabriel Attal, and Dominique de Villepin adopted more measured reactions, expressing respect for the judoka's achievements while awaiting more detailed proposals. Teddy Riner, who is running as an independent, will now have to demonstrate how he intends to finance his policies, build a national organization, and gather the 500 endorsements required to be a candidate. His entry into the race is already raising questions about the renewal of the political class and the role of figures from civil society in the presidential competition.