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.
5 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
Emmanuel Macron gives interview on TF1 and France 2 news programs
French President Emmanuel Macron was interviewed on the 20:00 news programs of TF1 and France 2 on Thursday, September 25, 2026. The interview lasted approximately 40 minutes and was broadcast from 20:10 to 20:50. Macron discussed current affairs including fuel price increases, the Russian threat, Ukraine, the Middle East situation, and the upcoming presidential election. He addressed France's energy independence, mentioning his intention to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure the Yanbu energy site.
Macron interview attracts 8.6 million viewers across TF1 and France 2
The presidential interview reached approximately 8.6 million viewers across both channels combined. TF1 had nearly 5 million viewers (27.4% audience share) and France 2 had 3.7 million viewers (20.2% audience share). Combined, the interview achieved a 47.6% share of the total television audience at that time. These figures were released by Médiamétrie on September 26, 2026.
Fuel price crisis and Russian threat discussed in presidential interview
President Macron addressed the ongoing fuel price crisis and the Russian threat during his television interview. These were key topics of discussion among the journalists Gilles Bouleau and Caroline Roux during the 40-minute interview on September 25, 2026.
Bruno Retailleau polls at 7.5-9.5% as Republican candidate in 2027 race
Bruno Retailleau, the Les Républicains candidate, receives 7.5% of first-round voting intentions when Édouard Philippe is the sole center-right candidate, and 9.5% when Gabriel Attal competes alongside him. The candidate continues to struggle to gain traction in polling.
Édouard Philippe and Jean-Luc Mélenchon tied at 19% in 2027 presidential first round polling
According to the Cluster 17 poll, Édouard Philippe (Horizons) and Jean-Luc Mélenchon (La France Insoumise) are tied at 19% of first-round voting intentions each when Philippe is the sole center-right candidate. The two are positioned to potentially advance to the second round, far behind Marine Le Pen but ahead of other candidates.
Cluster 17 poll shows Marine Le Pen leading 2027 French presidential race with 31% support
A Cluster 17 poll conducted September 15-16, 2026 and published September 24, 2026 shows Marine Le Pen, candidate of the Rassemblement National, leading first-round voting intentions for the May 2027 French presidential election with 31% support. The poll surveyed 1,733 to 1,943 eligible French voters with a margin of error of 1.1 to 2.7 percentage points.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon reaches 20% in polling, his highest score for 2027 presidential race
In the polling scenario where Gabriel Attal is the center-right candidate, Jean-Luc Mélenchon reaches 20% of first-round voting intentions, representing his highest score in any poll for the 2027 presidential election. Previously, Mélenchon had polled between 15-18% in other 2027 surveys.
David Lisnard achieves 5% in polling as liberal independent candidate
David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes running as a liberal independent candidate who has distanced himself from Les Républicains, receives 5% of first-round voting intentions in the Cluster 17 poll. He indicates he does not plan to withdraw in favor of Bruno Retailleau.
Left-wing candidates collectively poll at 36% in Philippe scenario
When Édouard Philippe is the sole center-right candidate, combined first-round voting intentions for left-wing candidates total 36%. This includes Mélenchon (19%), Glucksmann (12%), and minor candidates Marine Tondelier of the Greens and Fabien Roussel of the Communist Party, who each poll under 3%.
Raphaël Glucksmann reaches 12% in presidential polling, his highest score to date
Raphaël Glucksmann, the Place publique leader and social-democratic candidate, achieved 12% of first-round voting intentions in the Cluster 17 poll. This represents an increase from 11-11.5% in the previous poll conducted September 7, 2026, marking his strongest performance in 2027 presidential race polling.
Gabriel Attal drops to 13.5% in alternate scenario, behind Glucksmann and Mélenchon
In the polling scenario where Gabriel Attal represents the center-right bloc instead of Édouard Philippe, Attal receives 13.5% of first-round voting intentions, placing him fourth behind Raphaël Glucksmann (14%) and Jean-Luc Mélenchon (20%). This represents a significant decline from his position when Philippe is the sole center-right candidate.
Fringe candidates poll below 4% in 2027 presidential race
Minor candidates in the 2027 presidential race poll at low levels: Éric Zemmour (Reconquête) at 3.5%, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan (Debout la France) at 3%, Marine Tondelier (The Greens) at 2.5%, Fabien Roussel (Communist Party) at 2%, and Nathalie Arthaud (Struggle Outworks) at 0.5%.
Marine Tondelier gives birth to second child, a boy named Léon
Marine Tondelier, leader of the Ecologists party and official 2027 presidential candidate, gave birth on September 18 to her second child, a boy named Léon. The birth took place in Lens, Pas-de-Calais. Tondelier, age 40, is the first presidential candidate to have campaigned while pregnant. She reported that the delivery went very well and stated she would work differently for a period of time while prioritizing the health and wellbeing of her newborn.
Marine Tondelier officially designated as Ecologists party presidential candidate
Marine Tondelier was officially designated as the presidential candidate of the Ecologists party following an extraordinary federal council meeting on Monday. She will remain the candidate until a vote by party members scheduled for December 10-13, 2026, when they will decide whether to maintain an autonomous candidacy or withdraw in favor of another left-wing candidate.
Tondelier discusses fertility challenges and path to second pregnancy
Tondelier previously disclosed in March 2026 that she had experienced a miscarriage and undergone multiple rounds of unsuccessful medically assisted reproduction (PMA) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments with her partner. After the couple decided to pause their efforts to have another child, Tondelier became pregnant naturally.
Tondelier plans to advocate for reproductive health and child-centered policies
Marine Tondelier intends to use her experience as a new mother to advocate for reproductive health and policies creating a country designed for children. Her proposals include guaranteeing comprehensive physical, gynecological, sexual and psychological health care during the first year after childbirth with systematic screening for postpartum depression, creating public services for postpartum home support, and establishing better-compensated parental leave with individual non-transferable portions for each parent.
Ségolène Royal criticizes Raphaël Glucksmann during campaign
Former 2007 Socialist presidential candidate Ségolène Royal attacked primary frontrunner Raphaël Glucksmann during the campaign, comparing the founder of Place publique to an unprepared intern unfit to lead a company. Royal held a public meeting in Alfortville (Val-de-Marne) attended by approximately 200 people.
Socialist Party holds first primary debate for 2027 presidential election
The Socialist Party held the first televised debate of its 2027 presidential primary on September 23, 2026, featuring five candidates answering questions from approximately ten French citizens about international issues, ecological transition, public debt, and purchasing power.
Socialist deputy Philippe Brun excluded from primary over violence allegations
Socialist deputy Philippe Brun from Eure was unexpectedly excluded from the primary after obtaining endorsements, following accusations of violence against a former collaborator. Brun was also suspended provisionally and requested reinstatement, filing legal proceedings to challenge the Socialist Party's exclusion decision.
Socialist primary voting scheduled for October 9 and 16
Voting in the Socialist Party primary is scheduled for October 9 and October 16, 2026, with candidate teams working to encourage mass registration of voters in this period.
Read the coverage
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.