Le P’tit Isoloir FR

The campaign calendar

From the first candidacies to the handover of power: the steps already taken and those still ahead.

J‑171

until the first round, Sunday 18 April 2027

J‑185

until the run-off, Sunday 2 May 2027

  1. 31 March 2026

    David Lisnard declares

    The mayor of Cannes leaves The Republicans and launches his bid with his movement, Nouvelle Énergie.

    See David Lisnard's profile

  2. 19 April 2026

    Bruno Retailleau chosen by LR

    Members of The Republicans pick him as their candidate.

    See Bruno Retailleau's profile

  3. 3 May 2026

    Jean-Luc Mélenchon declares

    He announces his fourth candidacy on TF1.

    See Jean-Luc Mélenchon's profile

  4. 22 May 2026

    Gabriel Attal declares

    The secretary-general of Renaissance announces his candidacy in Mur-de-Barrez, Aveyron.

    See Gabriel Attal's profile

  5. 7 July 2026

    Marine Le Pen eligible again

    The Paris Court of Appeal cuts her ineligibility to 45 months, 30 of them suspended, already served. She announces her candidacy that evening and appeals to the Court of Cassation.

    See Marine Le Pen's profile

  6. 16 July 2026

    Bernard Cazeneuve declares

    The former Prime Minister runs outside the Socialist primary.

    See Bernard Cazeneuve's profile

  7. 27 August 2026

    First seven-way debate

    Attal, Glucksmann, Le Pen, Mélenchon, Philippe, Retailleau and Tondelier debate together for the first time, at the Medef business meetings broadcast on LCI.

  8. 6 September 2026

    Fabien Roussel chosen by the PCF

    The Communists pick him for another candidacy.

    See Fabien Roussel's profile

  9. 17 September 2026

    Éric Zemmour confirms

    The president of Reconquête confirms his candidacy on BFM TV.

    See Éric Zemmour's profile

  10. 21 September 2026

    Marine Tondelier chosen

    The Ecologists pick her after the unified left-wing primary failed.

    See Marine Tondelier's profile

  11. 11 October 2026

    Raphaël Glucksmann wins the Socialist primary

    He wins with 66% of the vote and becomes the candidate of the PS and Place Publique.

    See Raphaël Glucksmann's profile
  12. Today

  13. Date not set

    Court of Cassation ruling

    It must rule on Marine Le Pen's appeal. Lawyers disagree on what it could mean for her candidacy.

    See Marine Le Pen's profile

  14. Late February 2027

    Endorsements open

    Once the decree calling the election is published, elected officials can endorse a candidate. 500 are needed, from at least 30 départements, with no more than 50 from the same one.

  15. 12 March 2027

    Endorsements close, 6 pm

    Deadline for filing the 500 signatures with the Constitutional Council (sixth Friday before the first round).

  16. Mid-March 2027

    Official list of candidates

    The Constitutional Council publishes the list of candidates who obtained their 500 endorsements.

  17. 5 April 2027

    Official campaign begins

    Strictly equal airtime for candidates on radio and TV, official campaign broadcasts, posters on the electoral boards.

  18. 16 April 2027

    Campaign ends at midnight

    No more rallies, leaflets or published polls until the polling stations close.

  19. 18 April 2027

    First round

    The two leading candidates go through to the run-off, unless one of them wins more than 50% of the vote.

  20. Around 28 April 2027

    Run-off debate

    Traditionally held on the Wednesday before the run-off; the two campaigns agree on the date.

  21. 2 May 2027

    Run-off

    The candidate who wins an absolute majority of the votes cast is elected.

  22. Mid-May 2027

    Handover of power

    Emmanuel Macron's term ends on 13 May 2027; the new president is sworn in at the Élysée.