Emmanuel Macron is facing a new challenger ahead of the European Parliament election, who could take away vital support on the left for the president.
After winning power again in 2022, Macron’s main opponent has been Marine Le Pen, whom he decisively beat during the last two elections.
However, now a new threat is emerging on the scene, one that is targeting Macron’s supporters on the left.
Raphaël Glucksmann, 44, a centre-left and pro-European politician, has already launched his election bid under his party Place Publique.
Emmanuel Macron facing nightmare scenario as serious danger emerging ahead of crunch electionGettyAs Macron has slightly tilted towards the right in order to counter Le Pen’s National Rally, which his Renaissance Party is currently neck and neck with, vital backing from the left has started to dwindle.
Issues such as immigration and pension reform have alienated liberal voters, and Glucksmann has stepped in to fill the void.
Described as “serious and friendly” to Politico by a senior official for the Renaissance party, the 44-year-old is seen by many as a credible alternative.
Some of Macron’s former supporters are calling for an endorsement of Glucksmann, who shares many values with the French president, such as greater EU integration and aid for Ukraine.
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Macron has slightly tilted towards the right in order to counter Le-Pen’s National Rally party
PASpeaking to the local press, former Green MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit who previously championed Macron, branded him a “disappointment”. Instead, he is now calling for the Greens and Socialists to unite behind the 44-year-old.
An anonymous political strategist aligned with the Green party in France said "if Glucksmann starts rising in the polls and competing with the Renaissance list, left-wing voters could be tempted to unite behind his list to sanction Macron,” doubting the chance of the Greens succeeding as they are currently “too focused on societal issues and wokeism”.
Whilst Glucksmann’s party is currently in third place, Place Publique is miles behind Macron and Le Pen.
Despite this, the momentum of his party cannot be understated, and pollsters have noticed this.
“If Glucksmann finishes with a high percentage, it’ll likely mean the Greens will have dropped. If he finishes above 13 or 14 percent, it’ll also be at Renaissance’s expense,” Jean-Yves Dormagen, head of the Cluster17 polling institute said.
Protests broke out due to the pension reforms
ReutersAs Glucksmann gains traction, Macron’s support continues to waver due to recent controversial legislation.
In December 2023, Macron adjusted his immigration bill, agreeing to provide benefits to legal migrants only after five years of residency, as opposed to the current period of six months.
Left-wing parties expressed outrage after the bill was passed.
Head of socialist lawmakers in the Assemblée Nationale Boris Vallaud said it was a “great moment of dishonour for the government”.
Support for the two-term French President also tumbled since he announced plans to raise the pension age to 64 from 62.
He argued that extending the retirement age by two years would significantly increase tax revenue for the country and raise the Treasury tens of billions of pounds.
However, the plans resulted in protests erupting throughout the country.