Candidate comparison

Glucksmann vs Roussel: how alike are they?

We compare the documented positions of Raphaël Glucksmann and Fabien Roussel on the 46 questions in the test, issue by issue.

Glucksmann

Social democracy, environmentalism, European federalism

75 %

overall agreement

Roussel

Communism, socialism

In brief

How do Glucksmann and Roussel differ?

Raphaël Glucksmann (Place Publique) and Fabien Roussel (French Communist Party) agree on the economy, social policy, energy and institutions, but are opposed on Europe and defence. Both support a minimum tax of 2% on fortunes above 100 million euros, bringing back a wealth tax, going back to a retirement age of 62 or lower, a minimum wage of at least 1,600 euros a month after deductions, rent controls and a large increase in funding for public hospitals. They want to build new nuclear reactors and keep developing wind power, give legal status to undocumented workers who have a job, elect members of the National Assembly by proportional representation and move to a Sixth Republic. Glucksmann, however, supports higher military spending, extending the nuclear deterrent to European partners, more EU decisions by majority without a national veto and compulsory national service, which Roussel rejects; Roussel wants French law to take precedence over European law, which Glucksmann rejects. They also differ on Corsica: Glucksmann supports letting it make its own rules in some areas and Roussel opposes it. On military aid to Ukraine, Glucksmann is in favour and Roussel is neutral.

This summary is based on the candidates’ documented positions on the test statements; the source of each position is on each candidate’s page. Updated 19/10/2026.

Differences

Where they clash most

Foreign affairs and defence

France should offer to extend its nuclear deterrent to its European partners.

Glucksmann Strongly in favour

His party's 2026 programme proposes offering EU partners an extension of France's nuclear deterrent, with France keeping sole authority over its use.

Roussel Strongly against

His party's 2026 platform opposes "the Europeanisation of the French nuclear force" and plans for a European army or pooling under NATO command.

Foreign affairs and defence

France should increase its military spending.

Glucksmann Strongly in favour

His party's 2026 programme says France's freedom 'has a price' it will pay: faster arms production, a bigger reserve and a 500-billion-euro European defence fund.

Roussel Strongly against

In October 2026 his party proposed to "reject the 7-billion-euro increase in the military budget", and its platform rejects "raising the defence budget to 5% of GDP".

Europe

The European Union should take more decisions by majority, without a veto for each country.

Glucksmann Strongly in favour

His party's 2026 programme proposes moving to qualified-majority voting in the European Council; his 2024 European programme called for 'the end of unanimity'.

Roussel Against

His party's 2026 platform criticises "the extension of the Commission's powers" and wants cooperation in which "peoples decide in full sovereignty, within the national framework".

Foreign affairs and defence

France should leave NATO’s integrated military command.

Glucksmann Against

Estimated position: his programmes do not mention NATO; they seek a European defence because the 'American umbrella' can no longer be relied on, without proposing to leave NATO's integrated command.

Roussel Strongly in favour

His party's 2026 platform calls for "immediate withdrawal from NATO, a first step towards its dissolution", and his 2022 programme provided for leaving "its integrated command immediately".

Society, secularism and regions

Corsica should be able to make its own rules in some areas.

Glucksmann In favour

In June 2026 the allied Socialist group voted for the constitutional reform for an autonomous Corsica; his party's programme backs a 'Girondin pact' and more decentralisation.

Roussel Strongly against

His party's 2026 platform states that "the constitutional plan for Corsican autonomy is a serious attack on the principles and the very conception of the nation and the Republic".

Common ground

Where they agree

Economy, taxes and debt

There should be a minimum tax of 2% on fortunes worth more than 100 million euros.

Both: In favour

Pensions

The legal retirement age should rise to 65.

Both: Strongly against

Pensions

Part of pensions should be funded by invested savings (a funded pillar).

Both: Against

Pensions

All pensions should rise at least in line with inflation.

Both: In favour

Work and cost of living

The legal working week should stay at 35 hours.

Both: In favour

Work and cost of living

Unemployment benefits should be paid for a shorter time, to encourage people back into work.

Both: Strongly against

By issue

Agreement by issue

Economy, taxes and debt 81 %

Pensions 94 %

Work and cost of living 80 %

Health 75 %

Immigration 83 %

Security and justice 100 %

Education and youth 75 %

Energy, climate and farming 75 %

Europe 50 %

Foreign affairs and defence 25 %

Institutions and democracy 92 %

Society, secularism and regions 75 %

Detail

Question by question

Economy, taxes and debt 81 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
There should be a minimum tax of 2% on fortunes worth more than 100 million euros.	In favour	In favour
To reduce the deficit, public spending should be cut first, rather than raising taxes.	Against	Strongly against
The number of public servants should be reduced.	Against	Strongly against
A wealth tax should be brought back.	In favour	Strongly in favour

Pensions 94 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
The legal retirement age should go back to 62 or lower.	In favour	Strongly in favour
The legal retirement age should rise to 65.	Strongly against	Strongly against
Part of pensions should be funded by invested savings (a funded pillar).	Against	Against
All pensions should rise at least in line with inflation.	In favour	In favour

Work and cost of living 80 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
The minimum wage (SMIC) should be raised to at least 1,600 euros a month after deductions.	Strongly in favour	In favour
The legal working week should stay at 35 hours.	In favour	In favour
VAT on electricity, gas and motor fuel should be cut.	In between	Strongly in favour
Unemployment benefits should be paid for a shorter time, to encourage people back into work.	Strongly against	Strongly against
Rent controls should apply in all large cities.	In favour	Strongly in favour

Health 75 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
The State should be able to require doctors to set up practice in areas that lack them.	In between	In favour
Funding for public hospitals should be greatly increased, even if it costs the State more.	In favour	Strongly in favour

Immigration 83 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
There should be a referendum on immigration.	Against	Against
Birthright citizenship (“droit du sol”) should be abolished.	Against	Strongly against
Undocumented workers who have a job should be given legal status.	In favour	Strongly in favour
Social housing and jobs should go to French citizens first.	Against	Strongly against
Undocumented migrants should keep access to State medical aid (AME).	In favour	In favour
Family reunification should be suspended.	Strongly against	Against

Security and justice 100 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
Police officers and gendarmes should be presumed to have acted in self-defence.	Against	Against
Judges should have to give repeat offenders mandatory minimum sentences.	Against	Against
The sale of cannabis should be legalised and regulated.	In between	In between
Rubber-bullet launchers (LBD) and grenades should be banned at demonstrations.	In between	In between

Education and youth 75 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
Social media should be banned for children under 15.	Strongly in favour	In favour
School uniform should be compulsory in primary and lower secondary school.	Against	Against
Parcoursup should be scrapped.	In between	Strongly in favour

Energy, climate and farming 75 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
France should build new nuclear reactors.	Strongly in favour	Strongly in favour
Wind power should continue to be developed.	Strongly in favour	In favour
Low-emission zones (ZFE) in large cities should be scrapped.	Against	In favour
Glyphosate and neonicotinoids should be banned.	Strongly in favour	In favour

Europe 50 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
French law should take precedence over European law.	Against	In favour
The European Union should take more decisions by majority, without a veto for each country.	Strongly in favour	Against
France should leave the European Union.	Strongly against	Against

Foreign affairs and defence 25 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
France should continue to give military aid to Ukraine.	Strongly in favour	In between
France should leave NATO’s integrated military command.	Against	Strongly in favour
France should offer to extend its nuclear deterrent to its European partners.	Strongly in favour	Strongly against
There should be compulsory national service for all young people.	In favour	Against
France should increase its military spending.	Strongly in favour	Strongly against

Institutions and democracy 92 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
Members of the National Assembly should be elected by proportional representation.	Strongly in favour	Strongly in favour
There should be a citizens’ initiative referendum (RIC).	In favour	Strongly in favour
A constituent assembly should be called to create a Sixth Republic.	In favour	In favour

Society, secularism and regions 75 %

Question	Glucksmann	Roussel
The 2026 law allowing assisted dying should be kept.	In favour	In favour
Corsica should be able to make its own rules in some areas.	In favour	Strongly against
Girls under 18 should not be allowed to wear the headscarf in public spaces.	Against	Against

What about you? Which of the two do you agree with more?

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