France sets April 18 and May 2 for 2027 presidential vote

France will hold the first round of its next presidential election on April 18, 2027, with a runoff scheduled for May 2, the government confirmed on Wednesday. The election will mark the end of President Emmanuel Macron's second and final term, as the constitution bars him from seeking a third consecutive mandate, ensuring the Élysée Palace will have a new occupant for the first time since 2017.

The choice of dates has drawn criticism from some opposition figures because the second round falls the day after France's annual May Day labor demonstrations. The mandatory pre-election silence period, which prohibits campaigning from midnight on the Friday before voting, will therefore encompass May 1. Bruno Retailleau, leader of the conservative Les Républicains party, argued the timing is not neutral, suggesting political messages from the marches could influence voters just before they return to the polls. He accused the government of adopting a calendar that would benefit the left, an allegation the government rejected.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon stated the dates were dictated by constitutional constraints, as the vote must be held 20 to 35 days before Macron's term ends...