“I know what people will say about me: ‘He’s mad. He isn’t part of the establishment. He doesn’t know the rules. He has never been involved in politics,’” Riner said Monday in a video confirming his bid for the April 2027 election. “If refusing to bow my head and refusing chaos makes me mad, then yes, I am completely mad.” Referencing the widespread unrest and turmoil that has enveloped France since September, Riner emphasized that “the time has come to step up and take responsibility.”
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "unbridled violence" in a televised national address last month and has repeatedly pledged to restore calm. While the embattled leader told young people their concerns over learning conditions will be addressed, student groups have vowed to keep up the protest pressure.
“I know what it means to fight, to fall and to get back up,” said Riner, positioning himself as the person to bring the country out of its turmoil. “France does not need a professional politician who recites lessons and quarrels all day long. It needs common sense, firmness, justice and a state that puts things right.”
Acquiring such signatures “can be a real barrier for a political outsider,” says Rainbow Murray, a professor of politics at the Queen Mary University of London. “[Riner] would have to find independent local politicians and/or people willing to defect from their party nominee to him.”
Despite the support, Riner, 37, faces stiff competition from figures who have spent years building names for themselves in the political sphere. The far-right National Rally party, and its candidate Marine Le Pen, is favored among likely voters. Le Pen was convicted of misusing E.U. funds last year. An appeals court upheld the conviction in July, but shortened her sentence, clearing the path for her to run in the presidential election. Le Pen has been hailed as a “conservative voice” by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien, Riner distanced himself from aligning with solely the left or right, saying he instead hopes to become a “President who unites.” This centrist positioning is common in French politics, experts tell TIME.
As Riner prepares for an uphill battle, here’s what to know about the Olympic champion who is hoping to be the next resident of the Élysée Palace.
Interestingly, Riner would not be the first French judoka to shift into politics. Olympic champion David Douillet became a member of the French National Assembly in 2009 and later served as the Minister of Sport.
While Riner’s sports-heavy resume may not include any political experience, it doesn’t mean he’s not a viable potential candidate. Macron had never held elected office before his victory in 2017. “By breaking the party system, Macron made it much easier for candidates like [Riner] from civil society to emerge,” says Muzergues.
Riner presents a popular reality TV show alongside his partner
The first season of the show aired in 2025 and garnered an estimated 1.3 million viewers in its first week, opening up Riner to a whole new audience.
Plocus, in return, praised her partnership with Riner. “We're a balanced and interchangeable duo. Except that I'm incapable of taking his place on the tatami. He won his competitions all by himself,” she said.
“Seeing all this makes me anxious. The rise of extremism, it freaks me out,” he said. When asked if he was referring to extremes on both the left and right, Riner said: “The far right. Let’s call a spade a spade.”
Paris’ public prosecutor opened an investigation into the racist abuse and harassment.
Riner outlined his hopes for France’s youth, but hasn’t unveiled a campaign platform
“The French are very unhappy with the political status quo, so are perhaps more open to an outsider who promises to shake things up,” says Murray, suggesting the unstable political climate could work in Riner’s favor.
He added: “I want a young person who pushes open the door of their high school to be able to think about their future, not their safety.”
“He's riffing on the recent protests, showing solidarity with students, and has also talked about pension reform and anti-racism,” says Murray. “However, he has not yet taken a stance on most policy areas.”
"I think there are people right now desperately looking for the centrist candidate that is going to avoid the second round [a run-off vote] between Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen," says Muzergues. "Riner seems like a possibility... but the problem is, at some point, he will need to come up with a political program and he's going to have to make choices."
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