11 November 2026 | Curated by Vishaljeet Singh, Lisbon, Portugal
French far-right politician Éric Zemmour has confirmed that he will run in the 2027 presidential election, ending speculation that his partner and political ally Sarah Knafo might take the lead for the Reconquête! movement. Zemmour made the announcement in a televised interview on 11 November, setting up another national campaign despite questions about his political standing and the party’s electoral prospects.
The announcement adds another contender to an already crowded contest expected to shape France’s political direction after Emmanuel Macron’s second term. It also highlights a leadership question for the French far right: whether Zemmour can rebuild the momentum of his 2022 campaign or whether a different figure could broaden the movement’s appeal.
Zemmour chooses to run again
Zemmour’s decision comes after months of speculation about Knafo’s growing profile. A member of the European Parliament and a prominent figure within Reconquête!, she has attracted attention through her political work and the success of a book focused on taxation. Some supporters had argued that she could offer the movement a new public face.
By confirming his own candidacy, Zemmour has made clear that he intends to remain the central figure in the party’s presidential strategy. The choice may reassure loyal supporters who regard him as the movement’s founder and principal voice, but it could also revive debate about whether his confrontational style limits the party’s ability to attract voters beyond its existing base.
Immigration remains at the centre of his platform
Zemmour has built his political identity around hard-line positions on immigration, national identity and French culture. His latest campaign message continues to place immigration at the centre of his programme, including proposals to reduce the immigrant population and expand policies he describes as “remigration”.
These proposals are highly controversial. Critics argue that they raise serious questions about equality before the law, civil liberties and France’s constitutional and international obligations. Supporters present them as a response to concerns about integration, public services and national identity. The practical and legal details of any such proposals would face intense scrutiny during the campaign.
Zemmour’s rhetoric has also repeatedly placed him at the centre of controversy. He has faced multiple criminal convictions, including cases involving incitement to hatred and racist insults. He rejects the characterisation of these cases as ordinary criminal wrongdoing and has described them as offences of opinion. His record is likely to remain a central issue for opponents and journalists during the election campaign.
A difficult electoral record to overcome
In the 2022 presidential election, Zemmour received 7.07% of the vote in the first round. His campaign initially attracted considerable attention, but he did not reach the runoff. Since then, Reconquête! has struggled to maintain the level of public visibility and political momentum that accompanied his first national campaign.
The French right is also more crowded than it was four years ago. Marine Le Pen and the National Rally remain major forces in national politics, while other conservative and nationalist figures are competing for influence. Zemmour must therefore explain why voters who favour stricter immigration policies should choose his candidacy rather than a larger rival movement.
Sarah Knafo’s role remains important
Although Zemmour has confirmed that he will be the candidate, Knafo is expected to remain influential within Reconquête!. Her position in the European Parliament and growing public profile give the party an additional political asset. The relationship between the two figures will be watched closely as the campaign develops.
The question is whether the party can combine Zemmour’s established support base with Knafo’s appeal to voters seeking a different style of leadership. A campaign built around a single personality may energise committed supporters, but it also risks limiting the party’s ability to expand if undecided voters remain sceptical.
France’s wider political landscape
The 2027 election is approaching amid social unrest, disputes over purchasing power and public services, and uncertainty about the future direction of French politics. President Macron cannot seek a third consecutive term, leaving political parties to compete for the centre, the left and the nationalist right.
Recent protests over living costs, education and public-sector conditions have added pressure on the government. At the same time, mainstream parties are debating how to respond to the popularity of the National Rally and the wider appeal of anti-establishment politics. Zemmour’s candidacy will add to this debate, even if his current electoral strength remains uncertain.
Marine Le Pen’s own political future is also affected by a pending legal process linked to her embezzlement conviction. The outcome could influence the National Rally’s candidate strategy and reshape competition on the right. Zemmour may see an opening if rival leadership plans are disrupted, but he will still need to demonstrate that his party can attract a broader electorate.
What to watch in the campaign
- Whether Zemmour can improve on his 7.07% first-round result from 2022.
- How Reconquête! divides campaign responsibilities between Zemmour and Sarah Knafo.
- Whether the National Rally’s candidate strategy changes following developments in Marine Le Pen’s legal case.
- How immigration, purchasing power and public services shape the campaign agenda.
- Whether Zemmour’s legal record and controversial proposals become central issues in televised debates.
The bigger picture
Zemmour’s decision confirms that he intends to remain a central figure in France’s nationalist right, but announcing a candidacy is only the first step. He faces the challenge of turning a recognisable political brand into a wider electoral coalition in a field where the National Rally already commands substantial support.
The 2027 presidential contest will test not only the strength of the far right but also the ability of France’s mainstream parties to offer credible answers on immigration, living costs, public services and national identity. Zemmour’s return to the campaign makes that contest more crowded—and potentially more polarised—as France approaches a decisive political year.
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