France's presidential election campaign to replace Macron is heating up as the summer vacation season ends. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
On August 27, 2026, in Paris, candidates for the presidential election met at a business meeting organized by the French business organization (MEDEF). The meeting was attended by Bruno Retailleau of the French conservative party Les Republicains, co-president of the French centre-left party Place Publique Raphael Glucksmann, far-right leader Marine Le Pen, former French Prime Minister and head of the Horizons political party Edouard Philippe, French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, French Green Party leader Marine Tondelier, and former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
This meeting marks the beginning of the active phase of the election campaign. Candidates met with business representatives and presented their economic programs. The campaign is expected to intensify after the summer break.
According to Associated Press, each candidate at the meeting voiced their campaign promises and focused on economic issues. Marine Le Pen raised immigration and security concerns, Jean-Luc Melenchon prioritized social justice and fighting inequality, and Edouard Philippe stressed the need for economic reforms and business support.
The French presidential election is scheduled for 2027. Current President Emmanuel Macron cannot run for a third term, so it is unclear who will succeed him. As the campaign heats up, candidates' ratings are shifting.
The MEDEF meeting was a significant event in the campaign, as business leaders can listen to candidates' economic platforms and influence future policy. Nearly all candidates promised to boost economic growth, reduce unemployment, and address social issues.
Associated Press photos capture moments from the meeting, showing Marine Le Pen and Raphael Glucksmann sitting together, Edouard Philippe and Jean-Luc Melenchon talking, and Marine Tondelier and Gabriel Attal standing nearby.
The election campaign in France is just beginning, with many debates and discussions ahead. Candidates will present their platforms and seek to win voters' trust. The intensity of the campaign is expected to rise after the summer holidays.