Edouard Philippe launches 2027 French presidential bid to counter far‑right

Former prime minister Edouard Philippe announced his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election, positioning himself as a pragmatic centre‑right alternative aimed at preventing the rise of the far‑right bloc led by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and Jordan Bardella.

Philippe unveiled his campaign at a Horizons rally in Reims after a municipal victory in Le Havre, emphasizing business‑friendly reforms and a willingness to dialogue with unions on pension issues. He seeks to attract moderate and conservative voters uneasy with extremist rhetoric.

The ex‑PM faces competition from other centre‑right figures such as Bruno Retailleau and Gabriel Attal, while the far‑right contends with an EU investigation into Bardella and legal challenges surrounding Le Pen. Polls place Philippe as the leading challenger, but his success depends on uniting the centre‑right electorate and building alliances ahead of the vote.