Ruffin, François

François Marcel Joseph Bernard Ruffin (French: [fʁɑ̃swa maʁsɛl ʒozɛf bɛʁnaʁ ʁyfɛ̃]; born 18 October 1975) is a French journalist, filmmaker, author and politician. The editor-in-chief of the satirical quarterly Fakir, which he founded, he is best known for directing the 2016 film Merci patron! as well as for playing an instrumental role in the formation of the Nuit debout movement in France. Ruffin has held the seat for Somme's 1st constituency in the National Assembly since 2017. Ahead of the 2017 legislative election, he created the regional political party Picardie Debout ("Arise Picardy") and ran as its sole candidate, with the initial support of La France Insoumise, Europe Ecology – The Greens and the French Communist Party in the first round, before that of the Socialist Party's candidate in the second round. Upon his election, he joined the La France Insoumise group; becoming de facto associated with that political party, although often dissenting from its mainstream. Ruffin was a central organizer of the New Popular Front alliance formed for the 2024 legislative election. During the campaign, he broke ties with La France Insoumise and Jean-Luc Mélenchon amidst a "purge" of key party members, and, after being narrowly re-elected, joined the Ecologist Group in the National Assembly.