Delphine Batho announces candidacy

Delphine Batho, leader of the Génération Écologie party, has announced she will run for president of France in 2027, positioning herself as the sole candidate focused on ecological issues and vowing not to align with any other political group.

Focus on "ecology of beauty"

Batho’s campaign will center on her concept of "the ecology of beauty," which she developed in her book La Politique de la beauté — Une nouvelle écologie. She argues that current political discussions on the environment are inadequate and that her approach will address both societal and ecological challenges.

Agricultural transformation proposed

Batho proposes a major shift in French agriculture, aiming to convert all farming to organic and agroecological methods within five years. She criticizes the current Common Agricultural Policy, which she says funds harmful intensive farming practices and calls for redirecting public funds to support the transition.

Meat consumption and food policy

She supports reducing reliance on imported soy for animal feed and promoting French livestock farming that aligns with ecological principles. Batho also advocates for a shift toward plant-based proteins and local sourcing in school meals to support domestic farmers.

Independent run against Greens

Batho has chosen to run independently rather than joining the Greens (Les Écologistes), who are forming a coalition in the first round of the presidential election. She believes the ecological movement needs to be more concrete and credible to gain political influence.

National defense and citizen deterrence

Batho calls for revising military programming laws and promoting a "citizen deterrence" to strengthen societal resilience against geopolitical and climate risks. She also supports decentralizing power in France, giving more authority to local governments.

Criticism of Sainte-Soline project

Batho has criticized the government’s handling of the Sainte-Soline mega-reservoir project, where the ministry approved a derogation for protected species despite scientific opposition. She expects legal challenges from environmental groups over the project’s environmental impact.

Water conservation and climate concerns

Batho stresses the need for water conservation policies to address worsening drought and to restore hydrological systems using natural barriers like hedges and wetlands. She also raises concerns about the environmental impact of data centers and artificial intelligence, calling for public debate on their regulation.