Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger – the next French president?

Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, the ebullient head of historic Champagne house Taittinger, has thrown his hat into the ring for French president.

Despite his love of the UK, Pierre-Emmanuel sadly won’t be running for British prime minister

Taittinger told French newspaper l’Union this week that he plans to run as a candidate in the French presidential election next year, causing a media stir.

Among his aims as president would be to reduce unemployment and to create “a new vision” for the country – one presumably in which more Champagne is drunk.

According to l’Union, Taittinger expects to gain strong support in his bid for presidency, with elections due to be held in April and May next year.

His father, Jean Taittinger, was mayor of Reims so politics runs in the blood.

France’s current president, Francois Hollande, is allowed to run for a second term, but he is the most unpopular president since 1958 with approval ratings of just 18% in some polls.

Former president Nicolas Sarkozy and Bordeaux mayor Alain Juppé are expected to fight it out to be the official candidate of the centre-right UMP party.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, is likely to make it to the second round of the election following a groundswell of recent support.