David Lisnard, an ultraliberal mayor and presidential candidate, is using social media to boost his visibility in a crowded race, with support from Nouvelle Énergie's Romain Marsily.
Cannes mayor seeks greater political visibility
David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes and a presidential candidate, is trying to boost his profile in a crowded political field. He faces competition from Sarah Knafo and Bruno Retailleau, the president of the Nouvelle Énergie party, who have not joined him in a proposed right-wing primary.Social media campaign gains traction
Lisnard's team has turned to social media as an alternative to the primary strategy. They promoted the phrase "Something is happening," which gained traction online and helped improve his poll ratings.Nouvelle Énergie's role in the campaign
Romain Marsily, 41, the CEO of Nouvelle Énergie, is a key figure behind Lisnard's campaign. Marsily has a background in journalism and marketing, having worked with companies like Canal, Vivendi, and Havas.Marsily's academic and ideological background
Marsily is also a professor at Sciences Po, where he teaches a course on the future of television and media. He joined Lisnard more than five years ago, drawn by their shared belief in "freedom" as a core political value.Marsily praises Lisnard's views on freedom
In a 2025 commentary, Marsily praised Lisnard's book, which he said highlights the importance of protecting freedoms like property and expression. He also expressed admiration for Napoleon III, suggesting that strong leadership is needed to restore order in a society he views as increasingly chaotic.Marsily calls for strong leadership
In an interview with the conservative magazine Civilisation, Marsily argued that the country is in a "crisis of democracy" and that a strong leader is necessary. He suggested that the freedom he supports may require certain restrictions to be effective.
