Bardella denies antisemitic messages, files defamation suits against Mediapart
Bardella denies antisemitic messages, files lawsuits; voters remain skeptical of his denial.
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.
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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
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
Mélenchon expands autumn campaign across strategic French cities
Mélenchon expands autumn campaign across strategic cities while strengthening rural organizing.
France targets five percent budget deficit amid campaign fiscal pressures
France targets 5% deficit in 2027 budget facing National Rally opposition and rising debt pressures.
Mélenchon threatens prosecution as central banker defends monetary independence
Mélenchon threatens treason prosecution; Moulin defends central bank independence from political interference.
Le Pen defends Bardella amid antisemitic writings controversy
Le Pen publicly defends Bardella against antisemitic writings allegations as National Rally maintains polling lead.
Bardella rejects budget support, complicating fiscal governance ahead of election
National Rally leader Bardella rejects current 2027 budget support amid France's escalating fiscal crisis.
Le Pen unveils ambitious economic platform targeting 140 billion euros in savings
National Rally's economic platform targets 140 billion euros in savings through tax elimination, pension reform, and reduced EU contributions.
France's media regulator reviews podcast rules ahead of 2027 election
France's media regulator is reviewing podcast regulation as digital creators gain election influence.
Philippe proposes sixty-five retirement age with sector exemptions
Philippe proposes sixty-five retirement age, forty-five contribution years, with exemptions for difficult careers and capitalization components.
Philippe outlines pension reform raising retirement age to sixty-five
Philippe proposes raising France's retirement age to 65 with targeted exemptions and capitalization components.
Mediapart publishes alleged antisemitic writings attributed to Bardella
Mediapart reports alleged antisemitic writings from Bardella; he denies them as forgeries.
National Rally achieves historic Senate milestone with first parliamentary group
National Rally forms first Senate parliamentary group, expanding institutional presence before 2027 election.