French Jewish far-right politician declares candidacy for presidential race next year

French far-right politician Eric Zemmour announced his candidacy for next year's presidential election, vowing to cut immigration and expel unemployed foreigners. He finished fourth in 2022 and now joins a race where Marine Le Pen is projected to lead.

French far-right politician Eric Zemmour announced his candidacy for next year's presidential election on Tuesday, vowing to crack down on immigration and expel unemployed foreigners even if they are legal residents. The leader of the Reconquete! party said on television he was running to 'preserve a French France.' Zemmour, who finished fourth in the 2022 election, wants 'two million fewer immigrants by the end of the five-year term' and proposes expelling foreign offenders in prison and unemployed foreigners out of work for more than six months. He enters a race where Marine Le Pen, the more prominent far-right candidate, is seen as having her best chance after President Macron steps down. Le Pen, runner-up in the last two elections, is projected to lead the first round. Zemmour, a 68-year-old Jewish former journalist, had signaled his intention in September but only now made a formal declaration.