Olivier Faure is officially a candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The First Secretary of the Socialist Party announced his candidacy this Sunday, August 30th, on TF1's 20 p.m. news program. Before he can run for the Élysée Palace, the member of parliament for Seine-et-Marne must first win the primary of the socialist and democratic left, scheduled for October. A few minutes after his appearance on TF1, Olivier Faure confirmed his candidacy on social media: "I am running for president to build a fairer France." He also called on his supporters to mobilize: "Join us to create momentum during the Socialist primary in October."
Olivier Faure officially announces his candidacy for the 20 PM news on TF1
The decision was no longer a surprise. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Olivier Faure informed Socialist MPs of his choice. "I have decided to run in this primary. I will announce it tomorrow on TF1's 20 p.m. news ," he wrote to them. At 58, Olivier Faure is attempting to become a presidential candidate for the first time. First Secretary of the Socialist Party since 2018, he had allowed Anne Hidalgo to represent the party in 2022. The Mayor of Paris obtained 1,7% of the vote in the first round, the worst result in the party's history for a presidential election. Olivier Faure's candidacy comes the day after the Socialist Party's summer school in Blois. In his closing speech on Saturday, August 29, he had already adopted a decidedly presidential tone before several hundred activists. He notably promised that the Socialist Party would be "ready" for the presidential election and would defend "the law of the fairest . "
Raphaël Glucksmann, the main obstacle in his path
Olivier Faure will now have to face several candidates in the primary, but the most anticipated duel will be against Raphaël Glucksmann. The co-president of Place Publique currently appears to be his main rival. The situation is all the more unusual given that Olivier Faure himself played a significant role in Raphaël Glucksmann's political rise. He chose him to lead the joint Socialist Party-Place Publique list in the 2019 European elections, before renewing this alliance in 2024. Since then, their political strategies have diverged, particularly regarding their relationship with La France Insoumise. In Blois, the rivalry between the two men was already a major topic of discussion. Raphaël Glucksmann appeared alongside several Socialist figures who support him, including Boris Vallaud, Carole Delga, and Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol. Olivier Faure, for his part, retains control of the Socialist Party apparatus and a significant portion of its activists.
Ségolène Royal, Philippe Brun and Jérôme Guedj also in the battle
The primary will not be limited to the Faure-Glucksmann contest. Ségolène Royal, the Socialist candidate in the 2007 presidential election, as well as MPs Philippe Brun and Jérôme Guedj, have also announced their intention to participate. Candidacies must be officially submitted between September 1st and 15th. Candidates from the Socialist Party (PS) must also gather the necessary endorsements to be eligible to run. The first round will take place on October 9th and 10th, while the second round will be held on October 16th and 17th. Voting will be conducted electronically. Members of the PS and Place Publique who are up-to-date with their dues can participate without additional payment. Other voters wishing to take part in the primary must join the social-democratic group established for the election, for a fee of €15, reduced to €10 for students and those who are not subject to income tax.
Olivier Faure wants to defy the polls
The Socialist Party's First Secretary is starting the presidential election with a significant deficit against Raphaël Glucksmann in the polls. Olivier Faure is currently credited with between 3,5% and 5% of the vote, depending on the scenarios in which his name is tested, while Raphaël Glucksmann is polling between 10% and 15%. This balance of power was something Olivier Faure anticipated as early as Saturday in Blois. Addressing party members, he urged his supporters not to be swayed by opinion polls, recalling the 2011 precedent: "François Hollande started with 3% and became President of the Republic." He then declared: "Nothing ever goes as planned!" With his announcement on TF1's 20 p.m. news and the immediate launch of his "With Faure 2027" campaign, Olivier Faure is now fully entering the fray. The first deadline is set for October: he will first have to beat Raphaël Glucksmann and the other contenders in the primary before he can represent his camp in the race for the Élysée.
