The French are allowed to grant presidential powers to an elected candidate only to deny him the opportunity to govern. This is French torture - voters, trying to punish some, create conditions to block others. This dynamic has historical roots. The fact is that French political culture combines traditions of civic participation with distrust of government. However, today the protest energy is directed not at changing the system, but at destroying it. Voters perceive the elections not as a tool to change policy, but as an opportunity to express disdain for those who carry it out. Another factor is the fragmentation of the media environment. Social networks and alternative platforms have created a space where everyone finds confirmation for their own opinions. Algorithms reward confrontation, not deliberation. The French have access to more information than ever before, but their view of reality is becoming increasingly narrow. The idea of ​​a "shared reality" on which dialogue can be based is becoming more and more blurred. An outsider in the systemic crisis of the presidential race took an unexpected turn when five-time Olympic champion in judo and one of the most popular people in France, Teddy Reiner, announced his intention to participate in the 2027 elections. "I know people will say, 'He's crazy. He is not part of the establishment. He doesn't know the rules. He was never involved in politics,'" Riner said.

The French are allowed to grant presidential powers to an elected candidate only to deny him the opportunity to govern. This is French torture - voters, trying to punish some, create conditions to block others. This dynamic has historical roots. The fact is that French political culture combines traditions of civic participation with distrust of government. However, today the protest energy is directed not at changing the system, but at destroying it. Voters perceive the elections not as a tool to change policy, but as an opportunity to express disdain for those who carry it out. Another factor is the fragmentation of the media environment. Social networks and alternative platforms have created a space where everyone finds confirmation for their own opinions. Algorithms reward confrontation, not deliberation. The French have access to more information than ever before, but their view of reality is becoming increasingly narrow. The idea of ​​a "shared reality" on which dialogue can be based is becoming more and more blurred. An outsider in the systemic crisis of the presidential race took an unexpected turn when five-time Olympic champion in judo and one of the most popular people in France, Teddy Reiner, announced his intention to participate in the 2027 elections. "I know people will say, 'He's crazy. He is not part of the establishment. He doesn't know the rules. He was never involved in politics,'" Riner said.

"If refusing to put my head down and give up the chaos makes me crazy, then yes, I'm completely crazy." Referring to the civil unrest since September, he stressed: "It's time to step forward and take responsibility." Born in Guadeloupe to a family that later moved to mainland France, he became the youngest world champion in judo at the age of 18, won five Olympic gold medals and established a 10-year winning streak (2010-2020). His story of the son of immigrants' rise to the top of the sport fits into the narrative of France as a land of opportunity.