The "Riner Effect" Falls Short: Why France is Rejecting Celebrity Outsiders for 2027

New polling data released in late 2025 by Verian reveals that French voters are largely immune to the "outsider" appeal that has transformed politics elsewhere. Despite high public visibility, figures from the worlds of sports and media are failing to translate their popularity into political credibility.

Olympic champion Teddy Riner leads this "civil society" group with just 3% of the vote, followed by businessman Michel-Édouard Leclerc and entertainer Patrick Sébastien at 2%, while media personality Cyril Hanouna trails at 1%. The data suggests that as the 2027 election nears, the French electorate is retreating toward established political brands. Jordan Bardella (RN) remains the undisputed frontrunner with approximately 36%, while the battle for the second-place runoff spot is intensifying between Édouard Philippe (17%), Raphaël Glucksmann, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. For now, the "anti-system" vote appears to be consolidating behind institutionalized populist parties rather than celebrity newcomers.