Billionaire Vincent Bolloré set to expand his influence over France's presidential race
A new investigative book reveals how 74-year-old French media magnate Vincent Bolloré is using think tanks and media outlets to shape the upcoming presidential election and push for a union of the right and far right. The authors also point to his ambition to re-Christianize France.
French business magnate Vincent Bolloré is steadily expanding his political influence through think tanks and media holdings, according to a new investigative book. Titled "La droite de Dieu" ("God's Right"), the book by journalists Camille Vigogne Le Coat and Clément Lacombe, published by Les Arènes, reports that the 74-year-old billionaire intends to play an even greater role in France's next presidential election than he did in 2022.
A push to unite right and far right
According to the authors, Bolloré dreams of bringing together traditional conservative forces and the far right into a single political bloc. Such a shift, if achieved, could reshape the dynamics of French politics ahead of the upcoming vote.
A religious dimension to his campaign
The investigation also describes Bolloré as waging a broader effort to restore Christianity's place in French society. The authors present this religious mission as closely intertwined with his political ambitions and his strategic use of media influence.
Vigogne Le Coat and Lacombe discussed their findings on Bolloré's growing influence in an interview with Anthony Lattier for POLITICO's Playbook Paris podcast.
