Le Pen confirmed as candidate; Bardella shifts to prime minister prospect
Le Pen confirmed as RN presidential candidate; Bardella pivots to prime minister prospect amid internal policy disagreements.
Event / Politics
French Presidential Election 2027
Coverage of the 2027 French presidential election campaign, including candidate announcements, policy positions, and political developments across the political spectrum.
3 reported locations
Daily activity
55 articles0 articles
2026-08-02 to 2026-10-30 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Mar, 12:07 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Decree convening voters must be published at least 10 weeks before the vote
French law requires the decree convening electors to be published at least 10 weeks before the voting date. For a first round on 11 April 2027, this deadline is 31 January 2027.
Violence, looting and property damage occur in France on 17 October 2026
Incidents of violence, looting, vandalism and property damage took place in France on 17 October 2026. The government described those responsible as criminals and rioters.
Electoral campaign ends at midnight on the Friday before the vote
Under the electoral rule cited in the debate, the electoral campaign ends at midnight on the Friday before the vote.
11 and 25 April 2027 proposed as alternative election dates
Parties requesting a date change proposed 11 and 25 April 2027 as alternatives, stating they remain within constitutional requirements. Both dates fall during spring school holidays in two of the three school zones.
French government decides not to change the 2027 presidential election dates
The French government decided not to modify the dates of the 2027 presidential election, which remain 18 April for the first round and 2 May 2027 for the second round. The decision was confirmed after the Council of Ministers on 28 October 2026.
Louis Aliot warns that pre-vote neutrality and calm would be broken
On Sunday 25 October 2026, Louis Aliot, RN mayor of Perpignan, said the neutrality and calm expected before the Sunday vote would necessarily be broken if the second round took place after the 1 May gatherings.
Presidential election scheduled for 18 April and 2 May 2027
The 2027 French presidential election is scheduled with a first round on 18 April 2027 and a second round on 2 May 2027, the day after the 1 May labour day mobilization.
Bruno Retailleau warns of a repeat of 17 October events on 1 May 2027
On Wednesday 28 October 2026, Bruno Retailleau said he feared events similar to those of 17 October could occur on 1 May 2027. He also cited a legal problem with campaigning continuing after the campaign deadline.
Right-wing parties and the National Rally request moving the second round away from 2 May 2027
Following the events of 17 October 2026, the right-wing parties and the National Rally (RN) asked the government to reconsider the 2 May 2027 second-round date, which falls the day after labour day demonstrations on 1 May.
Marine Le Pen's campaign launch rally in Orléans scheduled for Sunday, with about 10,000 attendees expected
Marine Le Pen holds the first major campaign launch rally of her presidential bid in Orléans on Sunday, 25 October 2026. About 10,000 people are expected to attend, and the event is designed to present her as the party's candidate alongside Jordan Bardella.
Orléans city hall and Loiret prefecture express concern about antifa protesters over the weekend
The Orléans city hall and the Loiret prefecture are concerned about the presence of antifa protesters throughout the weekend, particularly on Saturday evening and Sunday, in connection with the authorized counter-demonstration.
Polls show Marine Le Pen winning the second round of the presidential election about six months away
Voting intention studies cited in reporting show Marine Le Pen winning the second round of the French presidential election, which is about six months away.
Recent revelations concern alleged antisemitic writings by Jordan Bardella from his youth
Recent revelations have concerned alleged antisemitic writings by Jordan Bardella from his youth. The allegations are unconfirmed in the reporting and have affected the RN's campaign launch period.
Loiret prefecture bans gatherings in Orléans on Sunday while Saturday counter-demonstration is authorized
The Loiret prefecture issued a ban on gatherings in Orléans for Sunday, 25 October 2026. The Saturday counter-demonstration against the RN congress has been authorized.
Rassemblement national holds congress in Orléans with Jordan Bardella up for re-election as party president
The Rassemblement national (RN), a French far-right party, holds its congress in Orléans over the weekend of 24–25 October 2026. Jordan Bardella is due to be re-elected as party president before thousands of members.
Olivier Faure, Sophie Binet and Bally Bagayoko announce they will join the Orléans counter-demonstration
Olivier Faure, first secretary of the Socialist Party, Sophie Binet, head of the CGT union, and Bally Bagayoko, the La France Insoumise mayor of Saint-Denis, announced they will march in the Orléans counter-demonstration.
Counter-demonstration against the RN congress planned in Orléans city centre on Saturday morning
A counter-demonstration against the RN congress is planned in the Orléans city centre on Saturday morning, 24 October 2026. Between 20,000 and 30,000 people are expected, called by about 50 organizations opposing racism, fascism and imperialism.
Bardella says he needs members' support to lead Marine Le Pen to the Élysée
Before the result was proclaimed, Jordan Bardella thanked party members and said he would need their help once again to lead Marine Le Pen to the Élysée (the French presidency).
Jordan Bardella re-elected president of the Rassemblement national with 98.98% of votes
Jordan Bardella was re-elected president of the Rassemblement national (RN) at the party congress with 98.98% of the votes cast.
Turnout at the RN congress vote was close to 68%
Approximately 68% of eligible members took part in the vote for the Rassemblement national presidency at the party congress.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Le Pen announces 2027 candidacy after court upholds conviction
Le Pen announces 2027 candidacy after conviction upheld but eligibility preserved; cassation appeal pending.
Le Pen announces 2027 candidacy despite court conviction
Le Pen announces 2027 candidacy after court conviction but maintains eligibility through successful appeal challenge.
Le Pen defies conviction, secures 2027 candidacy confirmation
Le Pen convicted but eligible; confirmed as RN's 2027 presidential candidate alongside Bardella.
Court upholds Le Pen conviction, confirms her 2027 eligibility
Court upholds Le Pen's conviction but confirms her 2027 eligibility, formalizing her RN candidacy.
Appeals court to rule on Le Pen's eligibility as Bardella signals succession readiness
Court ruling on Le Pen's 2027 eligibility could trigger succession to Bardella as RN's presidential candidate.
Paris court to rule on Le Pen's 2027 eligibility in July hearing
Paris court will rule on Le Pen's five-year ineligibility in RN parliamentary funds case, with Bardella positioned as potential replacement.
French court to rule on Le Pen's 2027 eligibility in July
French court rules July 7 on Le Pen's 2027 eligibility amid National Rally's commanding polling lead.
Philippe launches campaign platform with school and pension reforms
Philippe launches campaign with school reform platform, secured ministerial support, targets far-left and far-right opponents.
Communist Party affirms independent 2027 candidacy with Roussel reelected
Communist Party reaffirms 2027 candidacy despite internal divisions over Roussel's leadership.
De Villepin leads centrist party ahead of 2027 race
De Villepin leads centrist party La France humaniste with 60,000 members for 2027 presidential race.
RN appeals court ruling on parliamentary assistants case pending
RN faces potential candidacy restrictions from pending appeals court ruling on parliamentary assistants case.