French Jewish Candidate Wins Primary, Faces Flour Attack
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Raphaël Glucksmann won the French center-left primary on Sunday to become their presidential candidate, securing 66% of the vote. He was later attacked with flour by an assailant. Glucksmann will face far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon and far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who leads in polls. The election occurs amid significant student protests and a national debt crisis.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Raphaël Glucksmann won the French center-left primary, becoming the candidate for the April presidential elections.
- Glucksmann secured 66% of the vote in the primary and was later attacked with flour.
- He will compete against far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon and far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who leads in polls.
- Glucksmann, son of philosopher André Glucksmann, is a pro-European and pro-Ukrainian politician.
- Polls show Glucksmann trailing Mélenchon and former PM Édouard Philippe in the first round.
- The election is set against a backdrop of student protests and a national debt crisis in France.
European Parliament member Raphaël Glucksmann won the center-left primary in France on Sunday, securing his candidacy for the April presidential elections. Glucksmann, who garnered 66% of the vote, declared, "The battle for France begins tonight!" He will now compete against far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon for leadership of the fragmented left, while far-right leader Marine Le Pen leads in the polls.
Shortly after his victory, an assailant threw flour on Glucksmann as he left a Paris bar where he was celebrating with supporters, then fled. Earlier, on his way to the results announcement, residents threw rice at him and chanted "Mélenchon for President!", according to the newspaper Le Parisien.
Glucksmann, 46, is the son of the Jewish philosopher André Glucksmann. He previously served as an advisor to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and has led joint lists with the Socialists in European Parliament elections, with their list securing 13.8% and third place in 2024. He is known for his pro-European and pro-Ukrainian stance. Following the October 7th attacks, he labeled Hamas a terrorist organization but also criticized Israeli policy.
Glucksmann's challenge is significant. Mélenchon, rallying over 10,000 supporters the same day, positions himself as a bulwark against the far-right and criticizes the "irresponsible elites." His party, La France Insoumise (LFI), has labeled Glucksmann a "Macronist" candidate. Polls suggest Glucksmann could receive 11%-13% in the first round, trailing Mélenchon (16%) and former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe (21%), who are vying for a spot in the second round against Le Pen (31%-36%).
The election takes place amidst a deep crisis in France, including ongoing student protests against educational deficiencies and a looming debt crisis with public debt nearing 120% of GDP. The government, lacking a parliamentary majority since 2024, struggles to pass necessary austerity measures, fueling investor concerns.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 1Right 1
