France’s Political Landscape Shifts as Key Figures Prepare for 2027 Elections

Before the nation decides on its next president, it must first approve a budget for 2027.

This is the primary challenge confronting French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, as he explained in an interview with Le Parisien.

With under eight months until the first round of the presidential election and lacking a majority in the National Assembly, Lecornu said he aims to prevent a political deadlock by proposing a budget whose measures could largely be overturned by the incoming majority after the vote.

Lecornu said he does not intend to increase taxes; instead, he is drafting an agricultural rescue package and a reform of sick‑leave policies.

Regarding 2027, he reiterated: ‘I don’t know how to make it clearer—I am not a presidential candidate and I will not participate in the campaign.’

This Saturday, the prime minister visited Sens for the summer school of the Laboratoire de la République, the initiative launched by former education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer.

Olivier Faure calls for ‘ecological socialism’

Olivier Faure, first secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), warned that if the final document reflects the proposal put forward by Attal and Philippe with far‑right backing, the party will vote to censure it.

Speaking at the PS summer meetings, he urged the left to erect a barrier against an alliance between the far right and big money, declaring that ‘the hour of ecological socialism has struck,’ while remaining noncommittal about his own prospects in the upcoming left‑wing primary.

Jordan Bardella believes the RN can ‘win this election’

While visiting the Châlons‑en‑Champagne fair in Marne, RN president Jordan Bardella said his party had worked hard over the summer on a programme to get the country back on its feet and to prepare for the presidential campaign.

Although Bardella was once considered the far‑right party’s presidential candidate, he ultimately stepped aside to support Marine Le Pen.

A debate between Édouard Philippe and François Hollande

Another potential presidential contender, Édouard Philippe of Horizons, participated in a Saturday debate with former Socialist president François Hollande, whose 2027 ambitions appear to be strengthening.

At the Laboratoire de la République summer school, the two agreed that they must guard against the RN and La France insoumise (LFI). Hollande said, ‘In a country so divided, where discord has taken hold and radicalism and populism pit people against one another, we must unite against those who sow division.’

Édouard Philippe, who hopes to unite the right and centre, also urged caution toward the two parties—not because they lack legitimacy in public debate, but because they foster division.

While both warn about the state of the French economy, their remedies differ: Hollande calls for higher taxes, whereas Philippe advocates capping social spending.

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