France Sets Dates for 2027 Presidential Election Rounds

French government spokesperson Mod Brigon declared on Wednesday, following a cabinet meeting, that the initial round of the upcoming presidential election will be held on April 18, 2027. The subsequent runoff is scheduled for May 2 of the same year.

President Emmanuel Macron is ineligible to run again after completing two terms. Opinion polls indicate a lead for the far-right National Rally party. The increasing number of candidates raises the likelihood of a second round dominated by more extreme political factions, according to Reuters.

The French presidency is elected for a five-year term through a two-round system. If no candidate secures an absolute majority in the first round, the two highest vote-getters advance to a runoff.

This election unfolds amid significant political instability, with fragmentation growing across France’s main political camps, including the left, right, and center.