PARIS, October 26. /TASS/. Jean-Luc Melenchon, the left-wing presidential candidate in the 2027 election from the party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed), believes that Russia is not an enemy of his homeland.

"Russians are, first and foremost, Russians, that is, they are busy with their own affairs," Melenchon said in response to a question from TF1 journalist Francois Lenglet about whether, from an international perspective, Russia is an enemy of France. "If you pull a tiger by its whiskers, you shouldn't be surprised when it reacts," the politician added. "So, no. And it’s better that it isn’t."

The first round of the French presidential election is scheduled for April 2027. There is not a specific date yet - it should take place 20-35 days before May 13, the expiration of the term of office of the current President Emmanuel Macron.