Opinionway poll shows National Rally leading 2027 presidential field
RN leads 2027 polling while left-wing and centrist candidates remain fragmented across competing candidacies.
Event / Politics
Coverage of the 2027 French presidential election campaign, including candidate announcements, policy positions, and political developments across the political spectrum.
2026-08-02 to 2026-10-30 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Mar, 12:07 UTC
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Vincent Jeanbrun, French Minister of Housing, announced the government plans to freeze housing assistance payments (APL - Aides Personnalisées au Logement) by not indexing them to inflation as part of the 2027 budget. This measure aims to free up fiscal resources for facilitating property ownership while maintaining essential aid at current levels.
Climate transition expert Jean-Marc Jancovici initiated 'Un commun accord' (A Common Agreement), a citizen assembly composed of approximately 150 randomly selected participants representing French society's diversity. The assembly held its first session on September 19, 2026, at Paris's Conservatoire national des arts et métiers and is scheduled to deliver conclusions in February 2027, weeks before the presidential election.
On September 19, 2026, lawyers for Philippe Brun announced their intention to file a lawsuit for false denunciation (dénonciation calomnieuse). The lawyers argue that Brun is a victim of internal Socialist Party rivalries and that the accusations against him are unfounded and vague, involving a collaboratrice who was fired for serious misconduct in June 2026.
Presidential candidate Nicolas Dupont-Aignan launched his 2027 campaign on September 19, 2026, through a 'Fête de la liberté' (Freedom Festival) event in Yerres, Essonne, featuring roundtables, debates, and a concert, with his campaign speech scheduled for 4 PM.
Philippe Brun, Socialist deputy from Eure and founder of École pour l'engagement, was excluded from the Socialist Party primary on September 16, 2026, due to accusations of violence made by a former collaboratrice. The party's national bureau voted to exclude him on a precautionary basis and invalidate his candidacy for the primary.
The French government is examining proposals to extend or increase the 'prime grands rouleurs' (big drivers' premium), a 100-euro financial assistance program established to help modest-income workers facing rising fuel prices.
The French Ministry of Economy and Finance announced that France's public debt will reach 119.3% of GDP in 2026 and 121.7% in 2027, the highest levels since 1995. The ministry attributed this increase to persistent high budget deficits and mechanical effects on debt-to-GDP ratios.
The sixth annual Rencontres de la gauche (Left-Wing Encounters), excluding France Insoumise, opened on September 19, 2026, in Bram, Aude, organized by Carole Delga, Socialist president of the Occitanie region. The event features over 60 speakers including presidential candidates Raphaël Glucksmann and Jérôme Guedj.
Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally (Rassemblement National), participated in the party's 'Picardy comeback' event on September 19, 2026, in Breteuil-sur-Noye, Oise, with all National Rally deputies from Aisne, Oise, and Somme present to prepare for the 2027 presidential election.
The National Rally announced the immediate expulsion of a municipal police officer and party member following media revelation of a video in which he made multiple racist and sexist statements.
Marine Le Pen holds a commanding lead in first-round polling for the 2027 French presidential election, with recent surveys placing her support above 34 percent. She significantly outpaces her main competitors, including Édouard Philippe from Horizons and Jean-Luc Mélenchon from La France Insoumise.
The National Rally held closed-door parliamentary sessions at Le Touquet on September 12-13, 2026, bringing together party leadership and lawmakers. Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella emphasized the need to campaign as if polling at 14 percent and not to assume qualification for the second round is guaranteed.
Bruno Retailleau attacked the National Rally and left-wing opponents in Val-de-Marne, Édouard Philippe campaigned at an agricultural festival in Moselle, and Gabriel Attal positioned himself as the sole advocate for gathering support from 'right to left' across the political spectrum.
Marine Le Pen focused her campaign speech on housing policy, proposing measures including freeing up construction land for developers, applying 'national priority' to social housing allocation, eliminating environmental restrictions (ZAN), and mandating bank facilitation of credit access. She also proposed anti-squatting legislation and expulsion procedures for families of delinquents from social housing.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Fabien Roussel, competing left-wing presidential candidates, delivered speeches at the Fête de l'Humanité held in Essonne. Roussel launched his communist party campaign, highlighting divisions within the left bloc over candidacies and Green party concerns regarding primary processes.
Marine Le Pen, candidate of the National Rally (RN), held a campaign rally in Hénin-Beaumont, Pas-de-Calais on September 13, 2026, after a period of political uncertainty. The planned outdoor stroll through the local market was cancelled due to persistent rain, and the meeting was moved indoors. Approximately 2,000 people attended the approximately 40-minute speech.
Marine Le Pen, head of RN parliamentary deputies, publicly stated she was willing to allow the government to adopt a budget before the presidential election, even if it was imperfect, while setting red lines against any tax increases or 'social injustice'.
The National Rally (RN) held a political rally in Hautes-Pyrénées on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with departmental delegate Olivier Monteil announcing the party's priorities including state authority, reindustrialization, and protection of small business owners and middle classes. The party stated it has 150,000 members and is the leading political force in France.
Daniel Spagnou, former mayor of Sisteron and former president of the French mayors association, died on August 31, 2026.
Olivier Faure, First Secretary of the Socialist Party, held political events announcing the party's policy positions including a proposal to levy 15 billion euros annually on large inheritances, stance on school meal accompaniment policies, and budget negotiations with other political forces. Faure indicated the Socialist Party had not reached agreement with Jean-Luc Mélenchon's left coalition.
RN leads 2027 polling while left-wing and centrist candidates remain fragmented across competing candidacies.
Socialist mayor Bouamrane's independent candidacy multiplies left-wing candidates, deepening coalition fragmentation.
Bouamrane's independent left candidacy multiplies left-wing fragmentation despite ongoing unification attempts.
Paris court will rule on RN parliamentary scandal potentially affecting 2027 candidacy eligibility.
Bagayoko elected Saint-Denis mayor in first round, signaling local strength amid fragmented left coalition.
Socialist double primary proposal stalls as Green Party participation blocked by party disputes.
Mélenchon launches campaign with cultural star support, polling at 13-15 percent in first round.
Mélenchon held his first rally in Saint-Denis with backing from the city's new mayor, Bally Bagayoko.
Philippe launches 2027 campaign with expanded coalition structure beyond his Horizons party.
Mélenchon's 2027 candidacy emphasizes left-wing alliance potential despite persistent coalition fragmentation.
Borne exits Renaissance to lead new centrist party Bâtissons Ensemble, fragmenting the center further.
Philippe announces 2027 candidacy with Attal withdrawal agreement, expressing concerns about far-left and far-right polarization.