With less than eight months before France's 2027 presidential election, the political landscape is shifting rapidly. On Sunday, several contenders and potential candidates made their intentions clear, setting the stage for a crowded and unpredictable race.
De Villepin moves closer to a run
Dominique de Villepin, the former prime minister under Jacques Chirac and leader of the La France Humaniste party, told BFM TV that he would formally announce his candidacy "once the election campaign has begun." While not yet an official candidate, his statement signals a serious intent to enter the race.
Villepin dismissed the idea of participating in a primary, calling it "the latest gimmick for the desperate" and insisting that "it is not the right way of doing things." His remarks come as centrist and right-wing figures debate the merits of a unified primary to counter the far-right and far-left.
Faure enters the Socialist primary
Olivier Faure, the first secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), is set to announce on TF1 on Sunday evening that he will take part in the party's primary. He informed his parliamentary group of the decision in a message sent overnight, according to reports.
Faure's entry sets up a direct contest with Raphaël Glucksmann, his main rival in the social-democratic primary. Glucksmann, who leads the Place Publique movement, has been vocal in his criticism of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of La France Insoumise (LFI). In an interview with France 2 and France Inter, Glucksmann accused Mélenchon of having "gone beyond all acceptable limits" and argued that "the democratic left" must unite to offer a credible alternative.
Villepin targets Philippe
Villepin reserved his sharpest criticism for Édouard Philippe, the former prime minister and leader of the Horizons party. Villepin argued that Philippe is "playing into the hands" of Marine Le Pen by engaging in "one-upmanship" with his proposals to restrict immigration to Mayotte, a French overseas department.
Philippe, who is a declared presidential candidate, was hosted in Tourcoing by Gérald Darmanin, the justice minister, for the start-of-season rally of Darmanin's political movement Populaires. Darmanin, who officially endorsed his "friend of twenty years" in mid-August, is a key ally in Philippe's campaign.
Attal open to a primary
Gabriel Attal, another former prime minister and the Renaissance party's candidate, said he had "never ruled out a primary." His comments follow a column in Le Figaro signed by more than 200 elected politicians, calling for a primary among centrist and right-wing forces to identify a single candidate capable of defeating the far-left and far-right.
The debate over a primary reflects broader concerns about fragmentation in the centre and right. With multiple candidates vying for the same electorate, some strategists argue that a unified candidate would stand a better chance in the two-round system.
As the campaign unfolds, economic issues are likely to dominate. A recent debate among French presidential hopefuls focused on the economy, with candidates clashing over fiscal policy and public spending. Mélenchon's proposal to cancel France's debt has also stirred controversy, adding another layer to the policy discussions.
The 2027 race is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent French history, with the far-right and far-left both posing significant challenges to the traditional parties. The coming months will reveal whether the centre and right can coalesce behind a single candidate, and whether the left can overcome its internal divisions.
