Ségolène Royal, the first woman to reach the second round of a French presidential election in 2007, has published a new book to position herself in the left's ongoing debate ahead of 2027. She does not rule out joining a primary for the non-Mélenchonist left. This move follows her pattern of renewed political engagement before elections.
Ségolène Royal has made a habit of repositioning herself politically ahead of each presidential election. In 2020, following the green wave in municipal elections, the former Environment Minister under Bérégovoy (1992-1993), Valls, and Cazeneuve (2014-2017) declared herself ready to lead a union of socialists and ecologists. As the PS candidate in 2007, she had not succeeded in materializing this offer.
In 2024, she renewed her commitment by offering to head a united left list for the European elections, an initiative hailed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon as « a tremendous help ». For 2027, Ségolène Royal publishes But Who Will Watch the Children? with Fayard editions (352 pages, 21.90 euros). Described as a « political postcard », the book aims to remind the left and ecologists of her presence while laying « a diagnosis and proposals », as she told Le Monde.
Fayard editions are part of the sphere influenced by far-right billionaire Vincent Bolloré, featuring figures like Jordan Bardella, Éric Zemmour, and Philippe de Villiers. Despite this, Royal hopes to influence the debate opening on the left, without ruling out participation in a potential non-Mélenchonist primary.