Mélenchon declares run for France's 2027 presidential election
Al Jazeera
Left-wing firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon confirms he will run for the French presidency in 2027 for the fourth time. His candidacy gains traction as Emmanuel Macron cannot seek reelection and Marine Le Pen fights a political ban.
The veteran left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon, founder of the La France Insoumise (LFI) party, has declared his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election. Speaking on TF1 TV on Sunday, the 74-year-old stated: “Yes, I am a candidate.”
This will be Mélenchon’s fourth bid for the presidency, following runs in 2012, 2017 and 2022. In the last election, he finished third behind far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist incumbent Emmanuel Macron—who advanced to a runoff.
Mélenchon’s support has grown with each campaign. In 2012, he won 11% of the vote; by 2022, that figure had risen to 22%, just 1.2 percentage points behind Le Pen, narrowly missing a runoff spot.
LFI is known for its sharp criticism of Israel and the military campaign in Gaza, which Mélenchon has described as “genocide.” He has called for suspending the European Union’s association agreement with Israel. On the Iran war issue, the leftist leader supports Spain's position, opposing the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Domestically, LFI advocates for stringent environmental regulations and higher taxes on the wealthy.
The 2027 election presents a major opportunity as President Macron—barred by term limits from running again—has seen his popularity wane amid economic and political crises. Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen is fighting a ban from holding public office and is appealing the court decision.
The first round of the election is set for April 2027. If no candidate secures an absolute majority, a runoff will follow two weeks later.
Macron, founder of the centrist Renaissance party in 2016, has suffered a sharp decline in public support in recent years due to economic and political upheaval. In the 2024 legislative election, no single party won a majority, making the government vulnerable to a no-confidence vote if opposition parties unite. This instability has forced France through multiple changes of government and prime ministers over the past two years.
Mélenchon’s LFI is the largest party in the New Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing groups and the third-largest bloc in the French National Assembly.
