News Brief
Eric Zemmour, A Popular But Polarising Right Wing Commentator Who Termed Islam As Incompatible With France, Announces Bid For Presidency
Swarajya Staff
Dec 01, 2021, 09:15 AM | Updated 10:26 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Eric Zemmour, a former right-wing journalist and television pundit, has formally announced today (Nov 30) that he will be running in 2022 French presidential election.
Over the years, Zemmour has been viewed as a polarising figure for his strident opposition to what he has termed as the Islamisation” of French society. Zemmour has often described Islam as incompatible with France, and called for French Muslims to be given French first names. He has frequently attack immigration policies followed by France claiming that it enabling reversed conquest of a “2,000-year-old Christian land. Zemmour is also seeking to kindle a sense of nostalgia with frequent references to Joan of Arc, Louis XIV, Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles de Gaulle.
"I have decided to take our destiny in my hands. I have decided to stand in the presidential election," Zemmour said in a YouTube video released today.
"It is no longer the time to reform France, but to save it," Zemmour said, claiming that many voters "no longer recognise [their] country."
Zemmour's sudden rise has queered the pitch Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally. His rating soared for a brief while and he was seen as closing on Le Pen
Latest opinion polls however suggested that Le Pen is likely to be the challenger to incumbent President Emmanuel Macron in a run-off vote.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.