Former Minister and MP Olivier Becht has officially announced his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election, positioning himself as a candidate from the "extreme center" who aims to be "deeply reformist" and to "rebuild everything." Becht, who previously held the post of minister delegate for foreign trade, attractiveness, and French citizens abroad, made the announcement to the magazine Paris Match on Thursday, September 24. As the MP for Haut-Rhin, he claims to have 25 years of local political experience, and he joins a growing list of candidates vying for the presidency, with over thirty individuals already registered for the race. Becht, who once led the parliamentary group Agir ensemble and was part of the Renaissance political movement, stated that he is no longer aligned with any political faction. He expressed appreciation for President Emmanuel Macron but emphasized that his candidacy does not depend on Macron’s support. Becht clarified that he does not consider his legitimacy to be tied to the president, highlighting his independent stance in the political landscape. Among Becht’s proposed policies are initiatives aimed at achieving energy independence, reducing electricity costs, and establishing a universal social contract that would provide lifelong protection for all French citizens. However, these proposals come with specific conditions, such as requiring unemployed individuals to accept the first job offer that matches their qualifications. This approach reflects a focus on economic and social reforms that prioritize both individual responsibility and state support. Olivier Becht, who previously served as mayor of Rixheim from 2008 to 2017, must now gather 500 signatures from French officials to officially qualify for the presidential race. The process of collecting endorsements begins in February and must be completed by mid-March, with the final submissions going to the Constitutional Council. Becht is currently meeting with supporters in front of the Rixheim town hall and has already secured some donors, though he admits that additional funding is still needed for his campaign.