Marine Le Pen, the right-wing leader of France’s National Rally (RN), is now the frontrunner for the 2027 French presidential election, according to a December 11 poll commissioned by Figaro Magazine.
Following the dramatic ousting of Prime Minister Michel Barnier on December 5, Le Pen has solidified her lead, commanding 36% of the first-round vote, enough to secure a spot in the decisive second round.
“She’s gained two points since September,” noted Fréderic Dabi, head of the polling agency Ifop, drawing parallels between her current popularity and François Mitterrand’s strong showing in 1974. Remarkably, controversies surrounding her role in Barnier’s removal and allegations of EU fund embezzlement have done little to dent her political standing.
Should Le Pen be disqualified due to her ongoing corruption trial, RN’s official leader, Jordan Bardella, would step in with a slightly lower but still formidable 34% support. This underscores RN’s dominance over rivals like former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, founder of the Horizons party, who trails behind.
Meanwhile, the French Left appears in complete disarray. Fragmented among candidates such as Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Olivier Faure, and even former President François Hollande, the Left’s best-case scenario—uniting behind a single candidate—would barely reach 25% of the vote. Mélenchon, the strongest leftist figure, polls at a meager 12%.
As political turmoil deepens, both Left and Right factions have called for President Emmanuel Macron’s resignation, though he has vowed to serve out his term. With a deadlocked parliament and mounting chaos, France’s political future is anything but certain.
