French Presidential Hopefuls Share Stage at Business Forum
Eight French presidential candidates posed together at a MEDEF business event in Paris, signaling the start of the campaign season.
The French presidential race moved into a new phase on Thursday as leading candidates from across the political spectrum gathered in Paris for a business forum organized by MEDEF, the country's largest employers' association.
The event brought together eight prominent contenders, offering a rare group photo opportunity ahead of the election. From the conservative Les Républicains, Bruno Retailleau was present, while Raphaël Glucksmann represented the center-left Place Publique. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, also attended, as did former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, who heads the Horizons party.
The far-left was represented by Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France Insoumise, and the Greens by Marine Tondelier. Another former Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, completed the lineup of candidates.
MEDEF President Patrick Martin joined the group for the photograph, underscoring the significance of the business community's engagement with the political class as the campaign season gets underway.