Fabien Roussel, the national secretary of the French Communist Party (PCF), officially announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election on Sunday, September 6, during a broadcast on the TF1 television network. This marks his second attempt after his 2022 run, where he received 2.28% of the vote. Roussel, who is also the mayor of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux in the Nord department, secured the support of PCF members after a vote in which 72% backed his candidacy, while 22% opposed it. He described the decision as "largely considered" and emphasized a "project of rupture," indicating a desire for significant change in his campaign. Roussel aims to improve on his 2022 performance, which faced criticism from La France insoumise, a leftist political movement led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon. They accused him of hindering Mélenchon’s chances of advancing to the second round of the election. As part of his campaign, Roussel has proposed the slogan "live," focusing on themes like work and combating tax evasion. According to a recent Ipsos/BVA survey, Roussel currently holds between 2.5% and 3.5% of voting intentions, though such polls are often seen as unreliable when taken months before an election. Roussel’s candidacy adds to the growing list of left-wing candidates vying for the 2027 presidential election. Other notable figures in this field include Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France insoumise, Marine Tondelier of The Ecologists, and others from the socialist and democratic blocs. Roussel has held key leadership roles within the PCF, including being re-elected in July 2024 with 70.1% of the vote. His campaign is expected to center on economic issues, particularly increasing the purchasing power of citizens and protecting workers' rights.