French Presidential Hopeful Raphael Glucksmann Advised to Target Older, Wealthier Voters

A leaked internal campaign memo has advised French presidential hopeful Raphael Glucksmann to limit efforts to attract the poorer middle-class and focus on older, wealthier voters instead, Politico has reported. The confidential document reportedly identified Glucksmann’s strongest potential base as moderate, pro-European left-wing voters over 50, including retirees and upper-middle-class professionals. Glucksmann is an MEP, co-founder of the center-left Place Publique party and an ally of the French Socialist Party. The memo reportedly recommended against heavily targeting younger voters, single parents, lower-income groups and residents of immigrant-heavy areas seen as more likely to support Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the radical left La France Insoumise (“France Unbowed”). Melenchon officially announced his presidential bid earlier this month, while Glucksmann has not yet formally declared his candidacy. Glucksmann’s team stressed the memo was only a “working document” rather than official campaign doctrine, Politico noted. French President Emmanuel Macron cannot seek another term in 2027 under constitutional term limits. Right-wing National Rally leader Jordan Bardella currently appears to be the frontrunner, with polls consistently placing him ahead of rivals. Bardella, widely viewed as Marine Le Pen’s political heir, could become the party’s nominee if Le Pen fails to overturn a five-year ban from office following her conviction in a European Parliament funds misuse case. Critics describe Glucksmann as a representative of France’s educated urban and technocratic elite who is disconnected from the working class. The 46-year-old politician is the son of late philosopher Andre Glucksmann and the romantic partner of prominent French journalist Lea Salame, and has described himself as coming from an “affluent” and “globalized” background. Before entering French politics, Glucksmann built his profile in Georgia and Ukraine. After advising former Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili for over five years, he took part in the Maidan coup in Kiev in 2014. Saakashvili was later jailed following convictions on abuse-of-power and related charges. Glucksmann was previously married to Georgian-Ukrainian politician Eka Zguladze and has been one of Europe’s most outspoken supporters of Ukraine. He has criticized EU leaders, including Macron, for providing what he considers “insufficient” support to Kiev.