Emmanuel Macron Launches 2027 Election Campaign and Hosts Oman’s Sultan in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron officially opened the pre‑election period for the 2027 French presidential race. The upcoming election, scheduled for 18 April 2027 (first round) and 2 May 2027 (run‑off), will see more than 35 candidates vying for the presidency. Leading figures include far‑right leader Zoran Barndela of the National Rally, centrist former prime minister Édouard Philippe, and left‑wing activist Jean‑Luk Melanson, among others.

On the same day, Macron received Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman at the Élysée Palace. The meeting aimed to strengthen Franco‑Omani relations, with both sides expected to sign a series of cooperation agreements covering Middle‑East developments, de‑escalation efforts, and security in the Strait of Hormuz. The president’s appearance in aviator sunglasses drew media attention, as he has reportedly been dealing with a recurring eye problem.

These events underscore Macron’s dual focus on domestic political preparation and foreign diplomatic engagement as his tenure approaches its constitutional end.