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Judoka Teddy Riner announces candidacy in France's 2027 presidential election
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Teddy Riner, the triple Olympic individual judo champion, announced on Monday, November 9, in an interview with Le Parisien that he is entering the French presidential campaign. The 37-year-old athlete, who describes himself as "neither right nor left," says he wants to become "the president who unites" the French. He cites social anger and a desire to think big for France as motivations. Riner outlined early program themes including anti-racism and a pension system overhaul that preserves the pay-as-you-go solidarity system while possibly adding a capitalization component. He said he has assembled a core team of about twenty people from civil society, civil service, and former ministers, and will create his campaign association with statutes filed Monday. He acknowledged anticipated criticism that he lacks political experience, saying his life has been about fighting, falling, and getting back up. Riner said he will not end his athletic career and may compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if his role and the French people permit.
Source report
Paris, November 9 — Teddy Riner, the triple individual Olympic judo champion, announced in an interview with Le Parisien on Monday, November 9, that he is entering the presidential race. The 37-year-old athlete, who describes himself as "neither right nor left," says he wants to become "the president who unites."
A Vision for France
"I hear an anger that some speeches take up with great negativity, and in the mouths of people who no longer have ambition, nor that desire to think big. Yet France is a great country. It allowed me to become the person I am, and gave me the possibility to dream big," the judoka states in the interview. "I am a candidate to say that we can lift France up," he continues.
Program Outline
Riner outlined the broad strokes of his platform:
- Anti-racism initiatives
- Pension system reform that accounts for demographics while preserving the "solidarity-based pay-as-you-go system," without ruling out a funded component
He also addressed the high school student protests that marked the month of October. While he considers the students' demands legitimate, he adds that they must not "prevent those who wish to work from studying peacefully." The presidential candidate remains relatively vague on his full program, assuring that details will come at a later stage.
Campaign Organization
The athlete says he has surrounded himself with a "hard core" of about twenty people from civil society, civil servants, and former ministers. He adds that he will take to the field in the coming days to meet with the French people. "I am also in the process of creating my campaign association; the statutes will be filed this Monday," Riner states.
Anticipating Criticism
In a video posted on his social media accounts, Riner addresses criticism he anticipates: "I know what people will say about me: 'He's crazy. He's not part of the establishment. He doesn't have the codes. He's never done politics,'" he says. "I will not be one of those who watch the country burn while making excuses. I haven't spent my life behind a desk. Fighting has always been part of me. I know what it means to fight, to fall, and to get back up, always," adds the judoka, who is also an eleven-time world champion.
Olympic Future
He assures that he is not ending his athletic career, particularly his participation in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. He says he envisions attending "if the position allows it and if the French people allow it."
Source
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
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Teddy Riner launches 2027 French presidential bid as "neither right nor left"