Eric Zemmour, A Popular But Polarising Right Wing Commentator Who Termed Islam As Incompatible With France, Announces Bid For Presidency

Eric Zemmour, a former right-wing journalist and television pundit, has formally announced today (Nov 30) that he will be running in 2022 French presidential election.

Over the years, Zemmour has been viewed as a polarising figure for his strident opposition to what he has termed as the Islamisation” of French society. Zemmour has often described Islam as incompatible with France, and called for French Muslims to be given French first names. He has frequently attack immigration policies followed by France claiming that it enabling reversed conquest of a “2,000-year-old Christian land. Zemmour is also seeking to kindle a sense of nostalgia with frequent references to Joan of Arc, Louis XIV, Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles de Gaulle.

"I have decided to take our destiny in my hands. I have decided to stand in the presidential election," Zemmour said in a YouTube video released today.

"It is no longer the time to reform France, but to save it," Zemmour said, claiming that many voters "no longer recognise [their] country."

Zemmour's sudden rise has queered the pitch Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally. His rating soared for a brief while and he was seen as closing on Le Pen

Latest opinion polls however suggested that Le Pen is likely to be the challenger to incumbent President Emmanuel Macron in a run-off vote.