Amid tragic news from Ukraine and the pandemic, the French presidential election has been quieter this year than in the past.

Regardless, democratic debate matters. And it can be turned into a moment for exchanges with our community and can even be fun ! This is why the HKS Chapter invites you to a French political tradition : watching the debate opposing the two finalists competing in the second round.

We are extremely lucky that award-winning journalist and author David Andelman (AB’66), will be joining us and share his unique outside perspective on French politics.

Recently, David has been reporting on the 2022 French elections for CNN and NBC.

So whether you are a novice or a veteran in French politics, come join us for an informal evening where we will reunite, share cocktails, watch the candidates and learn more about French political challenges. Good vibes guaranteed !

The event will take place in the private apartment of our very own Denis Péchère de Chamberlanne, in the 7th district of Paris, just a stone’s throw from Sciences Po. Drinks and light food will be served. For those not in Paris, let’s keep the discussion alive on WhatsApp.

Please bear in mind that the event’s date might change by a day or two, as the debate’s date is not 100% confirmed.

Only 30 seats will be open so save your spot by registering at the link below. We look forward to seeing you !

Date: Wednesday April 20th, 2022.
Time: From 7:00 pm onwards.
Place: rue Saint Guillaume, 75007 Paris (specific details will be sent on event’s day)
Who: Harvard alumni only (and their +1)
Cost: A financial contribution of 20€ will be asked to cover for drinks & catering. If you have any dietary restriction, please let the organizing team know in advance and we will plan accordingly.
Registration:: Please sign up at the link below. Registration closes on April 13th at midnight.

This event is organised by Denis Péchère de Chamberlanne (GSD’17, Treasurer of the Harvard Club of France), Audrène Eloit (HKS 2014, First Vice President of the Harvard Club of France) and Henri Brébant (MPA 2020, co-Head of the HKS Chapter)

* About David A. Andelman

David is a veteran New York Times and CBS News correspondent and executive director of The Red Lines Project. He is an award-winning columnist for CNN and contributor to NBC News/Think. He spent seven years as senior Paris correspondent for CBS News during Mitterand’s first presidential term, has taught the stage intensif du printemps at l’ENA, and served on the comité du parrainage of the Deauville Film Festival. He has appeared on France 24, France Inter, France Culture and Europe and has likewise served as the editor and publisher of World Policy Journal, as an Executive Editor of Forbes, and news editor at Bloomberg. He is the author of “The Peacemakers, The Fourth World War: Diplomacy and Espionage in the Age of Terrorism with the Count de Marenches”, and “A Shattered Peace: Versailles, 1919 and the Price We Pay Today”. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He lives in Canadensis, Pennsylvania and Paris, France.

His new (free!) SubStack page, Andelman Unleashed , has been chronicling week-by-week the entire presidentielles.

A Red Line in the Sand: Diplomacy, Strategy, and the History of Wars that Might Still Happen is available here.