Marine Le Pen awaits appeal verdict on candidacy for 2027 French presidential election

The head of France’s National Rally, Marine Le Pen, is currently ahead of the field in opinion polls for the 2027 presidential election, according to the latest data released by the IFOP and Harris Interactive surveys. The polls show her with a lead of roughly 12 percentage points over the incumbent president, reflecting a continued rise in support for the far‑right party since the 2022 contest. Le Pen’s prominence in the surveys follows the National Rally’s strong performance in the 2024 European Parliament elections, where it secured 27 percent of the vote, its best result to date.

Under French electoral law, a candidate must be at least 18 years old, a French citizen, and free of any disqualifying criminal convictions. The Constitutional Council is scheduled to review Le Pen’s eligibility in early September, after she files the required declaration of candidacy and provides proof of compliance with the financial and transparency rules governing campaign financing. The council’s decision will determine whether she can formally appear on the ballot for the first round of voting slated for April 2027.

If the council clears her candidacy, Le Pen will join a field that includes representatives from the centrist, left‑wing, and other right‑wing parties, setting the stage for a contested campaign ahead of the spring election. The outcome of the eligibility review is expected to shape the strategic calculations of rival parties and could influence voter dynamics as the election approaches.