French presidential election 2027: Who are the supporters of Teddy Riner, the judoka candidate?

This is news that took everyone by surprise. Teddy Riner, the five-time Olympic judo champion, announced this week his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election.

He says he wants to unite the French, restore the authority of the State, fight against economic decline, debt, and the feeling of insecurity and abandonment in the country.

Philippe Veran, apostle of the deregulated economy

The native of Point-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe benefits from the support of Philippe Veran, a 61-year-old French businessman, founder of Biotech Dental, the leader in dental implants in France.

His company's annual revenue is $120 million. He is one of the wealthiest men in France.

An advocate of the deregulated economy, the entrepreneur from Salon-de-Provence was among the first supporters of candidate Macron in 2017. He had also campaigned for the cause of former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe in 2022.

François Braun, former health minister under Macron

Teddy Riner can therefore count on the sixty-year-old for his campaign, but also on François Braun. The former health minister under Emmanuel Macron says he wants to promote a figure from civil society with fresh ideas.

"He advocates unity and not a culture of opposition, he is from civil society...He embodies the France I would like to see governed and I think he can appeal to everyone while having the courage of his convictions," the former head of the emergency department at the Metz Regional Hospital Center told the press.

Macron approves

Besides François Braun, French President Emmanuel Macron also seems to appreciate Teddy Riner's candidacy. The president stated that he was pleased to see a great champion like Teddy Riner "decide to engage in the presidential debate and contribute his convictions, ideas, and talent."

He points out that political life "does not belong to professionals", but to "women and men who want to give their time, who are ready to commit themselves and fight difficult battles to make France better".