Karim Bouamrane, Mayor of Saint-Ouen, Announces His Candidacy for the Presidential Election

Paris – 09.06.2026: Karim Bouamrane, the socialist mayor of Saint-Ouen, announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election on Tuesday on France Inter. In his announcement, Bouamrane emphasized the need to lead France into a new era and address the country’s social challenges. He stated that with his experience as mayor and his vision for the country’s future, he wants to make a significant contribution.

Bouamrane, born on February 21, 1973, in Clichy, began his political career in the Communist Youth Federation and was elected to the Saint-Ouen city council in 1995. In 2014, he joined the Parti Socialiste and was appointed national secretary for innovation in 2016. In the same year, he also became the party spokesperson under the leadership of Jean-Christophe Cambadélis. In the left-wing primary, he supported Manuel Valls for Seine-Saint-Denis.

In 2017, Bouamrane was nominated as deputy to Yannick Trigance for the parliamentary elections after Bruno Le Roux, then Minister of the Interior, resigned due to allegations of misuse of public funds. They received 9.44% of the vote in the first round and did not give an endorsement for the second round.

Bouamrane is known for his work in Saint-Ouen, a Paris suburb that underwent extensive urban renewal ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. These developments brought him international attention. After the Olympics and before Michel Barnier’s appointment, French media speculated that Bouamrane could be a potential candidate for Prime Minister following the early parliamentary elections in 2024.

In September 2025, Bouamrane advocated for a measure encouraging mayors to meet social housing quotas. He proposed introducing a penalty of disqualification from office for those who fail to meet the legally mandated 25%.

Bouamrane’s announcement comes at a time when the list of presidential candidates for the 2027 election is already growing. In early May 2026, Jean-Luc Mélenchon announced his fourth run for the presidency. At the end of May 2026, former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal made his official announcement. These early declarations indicate an intense election campaign in the coming year.

Bouamrane’s candidacy is regarded as significant by political observers, as he could offer an alternative to established candidates as a representative of the socialist movement. His experience at the local level and his vision for national politics could earn him broad support.

The coming months will show how the political landscape in France develops and which other candidates will declare their ambitions for the 2027 presidential election.