Marine Le Pen Launches 2027 Presidential Bid With Lead in Polls

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen launched her fourth presidential campaign bid on Sunday in Henin-Beaumont, France, seven months ahead of the 2027 elections. In her first major speech, Le Pen advocated for a policy of national priority, proposing that French citizens receive preferential access to social housing, public sector jobs, and social benefits over non-nationals. To address the cost-of-living crisis, she proposed reducing VAT on gas, electricity, and heating oil from 20% to between 5% and 5.5%.

Recent polling from Toluna Harris Interactive and Ipsos-BVA indicates Le Pen holds a significant lead, with first-round voting intentions projected between 33% and 36%. This surge coincides with a collapse in popularity for President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval rating has fallen to 16%. While far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon ranks second in most scenarios, centrist contenders Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal may split the center-right vote, potentially allowing Melenchon to reach the run-off.

Le Pen is pursuing the presidency despite a July ruling by the Court of Appeal of Paris that upheld her conviction for embezzling EU funds. The court confirmed she remains eligible to run in 2027, a decision she is currently appealing to the country's highest court. During her campaign launch, she appeared alongside Jordan Bardella, whom she has designated as her choice for prime minister should she win.