France debates using opinion polls to pick 2027 presidential candidates

With the 2027 French presidential election less than two years away, some party leaders are considering using opinion polls to decide which candidate will represent their camp. The idea is being floated mainly within the central bloc to choose between former prime minister Édouard Philippe and former government spokesperson Gabriel Attal. Polling experts strongly oppose the proposal, warning that voter intentions are volatile months before an election and that polls cannot replace the dynamism of a primary. They argue that relying on polls would weaken party politics, saying it is “a symptom of the considerable weakening of politics” (Brice Teinturier, Ipsos) and calling the plan “a bad idea that will not work” (Céline Bracq, Odoxa). The pollsters stress that primaries provide media exposure and a testing ground for candidates, which polls lack, and caution that using polls could erode democratic debate and internal party cohesion.

The discussion reflects broader uncertainty within French parties about how to select candidates after a series of contested or uncompetitive primaries in recent elections. Experts such as Bruno Jeanbart (OpinionWay) and Jean‑Daniel Lévy (Harris Interactive) note that no clear front‑runner has emerged since 2022, underscoring the challenges of relying on short‑term polling data to shape the presidential race.