French Judo champion Teddy Riner has warned his candidacy for presidential elections in France, prompting reactions on the country’s political scene, despite lack of political experience and has not yet presented a concrete programme, reports the BBC.

The 37-year-old, born in Guadeloupe, is one of the best-known French sports figures. He has won five Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles in judo.

Riner introduced his initiative with the slogan La France quajme Ayme (The funds we want), while in a video published on social networks, it has stated it aims to unite the country and improve the economic situation of citizens.

His video took over 28 million views in Instagram and X, while an Iphop survey, conducted within 24 hours of publication, has shown that 22 percent of respondents have claimed they could vote on it.

Riner has said he sees himself neither on the left nor on the right side of the political spectrum, expressing himself against racism and extremism, but also against the uncertainty on the street.

I don’t want to see France sink under the weight of debt, I don’t want to see mothers and fathers tightening their teeth whenever they do the weekly shopping and trembling when their children go out on the street, he declared in the video published Monday.

However, his candidacy comes at a time when French politics is facing a lack of a convincing figure in the political centre, while Marine Le Pen of the far right and Jean- Luc Mélenchon of the far left is seen as two of the main figures in the presidential race.

Analysts estimate that Riner’s entry into the race could affect the distribution of votes to the centre’s candidates, making it more difficult to qualify in the second round.

The party’s leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has reacted ironically to his candidacy, saying that the expression “left or right” means he is not left.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the Olympic champion’s decision, naming him a great athlete and saying politics should not belong only to professionals.

Riner, however, has distanced himself from the current president, saying he is not Macroni’s representative and not even his political supporter.

According to the BBC, it remains unclear how Riner intends to turn the popularity gained in sports into political support. He has not yet introduced his team, programme or concrete positions on issues such as pension reform, education, the cost of living, public debt and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Source Layer: Dukeagini