Le Pen widens lead as left fractures across competing candidates
Le Pen leads at 35-36%, Mélenchon polls second at 18%, with left-wing support fragmented across competing candidates.
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.
2 reported locations
Daily activity
55 articles0 articles
2026-08-02 to 2026-10-30 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Mar, 12:07 UTC
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What happened
Socialist Party members vote to restrict primary to party members only
Socialist Party activists voted 55% in favor of restricting the October 2026 primary to party members and allied organizations only, rejecting First Secretary Olivier Faure's proposal to open it to all party sympathizers. The vote also effectively ended plans for a unified left-wing primary involving Greens and other non-LFI left parties.
Royal outlines five-point campaign platform
Ségolène Royal presented a campaign platform centered on five priorities: establishing a just order, climate emergency response, energy emergency response, rebuilding a strong state, and France's role as a mediating power in international affairs.
Ségolène Royal announces candidacy for Socialist Party primary ahead of 2027 presidential election
Ségolène Royal announced on July 10, 2026 that she will participate in the Socialist Party primary process scheduled for October 2026 to select the party's candidate for the 2027 presidential election. Royal, 72, was previously the Socialist Party's finalist in the 2007 presidential election, losing to Nicolas Sarkozy in the second round.
Royal criticizes potential far-right female presidential candidate
Ségoleine Royal expressed concern about the possibility of a far-right candidate becoming France's first female president, directly referencing Marine Le Pen of the National Rally who has confirmed her candidacy for 2027.
Marine Le Pen confirmed as 2027 presidential candidate despite appellate court conviction
Marine Le Pen will run for the French presidency for the fourth consecutive time in 2027, despite having her conviction confirmed on appeal. This decision solidifies her position as the undisputed leader of the Rassemblement National party.
Disagreements emerge between Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella over retirement policy
Divergences of opinion had begun to surface between Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella in recent months, particularly regarding the question of retirement policy and other key issues within the Rassemblement National party.
Jordan Bardella shifts from presidential candidate to prime minister prospect
Jordan Bardella transitioned from being positioned as a potential presidential candidate to holding the less secure position of potential prime minister within the Rassemblement National party structure, following Marine Le Pen's decision to run for president in 2027.
Socialist opponents back closed primary restricted to party members
Led by Boris Vallaud, the Socialist deputies' leader, opponents within the PS support a closed primary limited to PS and PP members, with higher participation fees of several dozen euros. They argue this would prevent votes from La France Insoumise sympathizers and effectively validate a candidacy by Raphaël Glucksmann.
Raphaël Glucksmann campaign depends on PS support for endorsements and funding
Raphaël Glucksmann, who is campaigning but not officially declared as a candidate, requires backing from his PS ally for ballot endorsements and campaign funding. The primary outcome will affect his ability to build momentum for his candidacy.
Olivier Faure proposes open primary for left-wing presidential candidate
Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure advocates for an open primary in autumn that would allow hundreds of thousands of French left-wing sympathizers to select a presidential candidate by paying two euros. He argues this format would provide legitimacy and momentum to the chosen candidate.
French Socialist Party votes on primary format for 2027 presidential candidate selection
The French Socialist Party (PS) and Place Publique (PP) are holding internal votes to decide between two primary formats for selecting a left-wing candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The results will be announced between Thursday and Friday night. Party leader Olivier Faure supports an open primary accessible to hundreds of thousands of left-wing sympathizers for a fee of two euros, while opponents led by Boris Vallaud favor a closed primary limited to PS and PP members only.
Marine Le Pen files cassation appeal, suspending execution of conviction
Marine Le Pen filed a cassation appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision. In criminal matters, the cassation appeal is suspensory, meaning the execution of the sentence is suspended until the Court of Cassation rules on points of law. As a result, she will not wear an electronic monitoring bracelet during the coming months and can continue her presidential campaign.
Court of Cassation to rule on marine Le Pen's legal challenge before 2027 election
The President of the Court of Cassation announced in January that the court would attempt to rule on Marine Le Pen's cassation appeal before the 2027 presidential election, though no guarantees were made. The normal timeline for cassation review is eight months to one year. The court indicated it aims to issue its decision by early January 2027.
Paris Court of Appeal confirms Marine Le Pen's conviction for embezzlement, reduces sentence
The Paris Court of Appeal confirmed Marine Le Pen's conviction for misappropriation of public funds related to European Parliament assistants of the National Front. She was sentenced to three years imprisonment, with one year as a firm sentence to be served under electronic monitoring, plus 45 months of ineligibility with 30 months suspended. The court determined the firm portion had already been served since March 31, 2025.
Marine Le Pen announces candidacy for 2027 presidential election
Marine Le Pen confirmed on TF1 television that she will be a candidate in the 2027 presidential election, marking her fourth bid for the presidency. She announced her intention to file a cassation appeal to suspend the execution of her sentence.
Le Pen files appeal to France's highest court to challenge conviction
Marine Le Pen filed an appeal (pourvoi en cassation) to the Cour de Cassation, France's highest court, to contest the appeals court's ruling. A cassation appeal suspends the effects of the appeals court decision, allowing her to campaign without electronic monitoring pending the final ruling.
Paris appeals court condemns Marine Le Pen for misappropriation of European funds
The Paris appeals court issued a ruling condemning Marine Le Pen for misappropriation of European funds. Le Pen announced her intention to appeal the decision to France's highest court (Cour de Cassation).
Marine Le Pen announces candidacy for May 2027 French presidential election
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (Rassemblement National), announced her candidacy for the May 2027 French presidential election on Tuesday evening on TF1 television, shortly after the Paris appeals court ruling.
President Macron declines to comment on Marine Le Pen's conviction and sentence
President Emmanuel Macron stated he would not comment on the court's decision regarding Marine Le Pen's conviction, citing principles of separation between the executive and judicial branches as essential to democracy.
National Rally announces Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella as 2027 presidential ticket
The National Rally party confirmed Marine Le Pen as its presidential candidate and Jordan Bardella as vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 election. Bardella is designated to serve as Prime Minister if the ticket wins. Party officials described the pairing as a solid, complementary, and effective team.
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2 alternative perspectives
De Villepin builds reform platform seeking 500 endorsements for candidacy
De Villepin launches centrist campaign platform emphasizing constitutional pension reform and mandatory social negotiation consultation.
Macron addresses fuel prices and Russia in prime-time television interview
Macron's prime-time interview on TF1 and France 2 reached 8.6 million viewers discussing fuel and security.
Le Pen maintains commanding lead as French field fractures in September polls
Le Pen's 31% lead underscores the gap between the National Rally's unified candidacy and the left's fragmented multi-candidate approach.
Tondelier births second child while launching reproductive policy agenda
Tondelier births second child while advancing reproductive health policy platform for her 2027 presidential campaign.
Socialist primary fractures over candidate credentials and party direction
Socialist primary exposes internal divisions over candidate credentials and campaign direction ahead of October voting.
Four candidates launch rallies across France in September push
Four candidates launched September rallies across France's regions to build campaign momentum.
France's debt crisis forces painful spending freeze amid 2027 campaign
France's rising debt forces difficult choices between freezing benefits and managing fiscal crisis.
Buzy nature club resumes regular weekly activities and outdoor education
Nature club in Buzy resumes weekly activities for local community environmental education.
National Rally expels municipal officer over racist, sexist remarks
National Rally expels municipal officer for racist and sexist conduct.
Southeast political shifts emerge as leadership changes reshape regional landscape
Southeast political ambitions and leadership transition reshape Alpes-de-Haute-Provence's regional dynamics.
Left-wing candidates energize September campaign trail at grassroots events
Left and center-right candidates escalate September campaign activities through regional events and grassroots mobilization.