Fabien Verdier, the former mayor of Chateaudun in the Eure-et-Loir department, has announced that he will run in the left-wing primary to represent the interests of France's "sub-prefectures"—small towns that serve as administrative centers for regions outside of major cities. If he secures the necessary endorsements, he will be the sixth candidate in the primary. Verdier previously ran in the 2016 primary of the Socialist Party (PS) but failed to gather enough signatures. This time, he aims to focus on "territorial justice" and the needs of rural areas, small towns, and sub-prefecture towns, which he says have suffered significant losses over the past thirty years due to the closure of courts, public services, hospitals, and bank branches. Verdier, who once held a national leadership role in the PS but left the party around 2017, founded the "Movement for the development of sub-prefecture towns" in 2022. He argues that the left can only regain the trust of the popular and middle classes by addressing the concerns of all regions of France, not just the major metropolitan areas. He emphasizes that the "France of the forgotten," which includes 34.8 million people, is where the far right is gaining support because the voices of these communities are increasingly ignored by mainstream political parties. Verdier claims to have the backing of numerous mayors and believes that sub-prefecture towns play a vital role in France's economy. He argues that their decline has contributed to a loss of national economic growth. His campaign focuses on reversing this trend by promoting policies that prioritize these areas and ensure they are not left behind in national decision-making. His candidacy comes at a time when political representation in France is being scrutinized, particularly in regions that feel overlooked by national politics. Verdier's message resonates with those who believe that the country's future depends on addressing the needs of its entire population, not just those in urban centers.