French presidential candidates face Macron's economic legacy

As the second five-year term of Emmanuel Macron nears its conclusion, former Prime Ministers Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal are navigating the political challenges of the 2027 presidential election. Both candidates face the difficulty of distancing themselves from the economic record of the Macron administration while leveraging their previous executive experience.

Economic indicators have become a central point of contention. Recent data from Insee shows the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 points to 8.3% in the second quarter of 2026, amid concerns regarding rising national debt and stagnant growth. Additionally, the long-standing issue of pension reform remains a significant political legacy, having undergone multiple iterations and facing intense public protest.

Édouard Philippe has emphasized the need for urgent social policy and an ambitious supply-side approach to address unemployment, attempting to position himself as a figure of renewal despite his role in the current administration's history.