French presidential candidates clash in first debate over economy and EU

Seven leading candidates in the race to succeed French President Emmanuel Macron clashed in their first debate on Thursday, August 27, 2026, exposing deep divisions over the economy, public debt, and France's relationship with the European Union. The debate, organized by the country's largest employers federation, MEDEF, took place at the Roland Garros complex in Paris and brought together contenders from the hard left to the far right.

All participants agreed that France's economy is in a difficult position, citing national statistics that show public debt stood at 3.536 trillion euros, or 117.5% of GDP, at the end of March 2026, with a deficit of about 152.5 billion euros, or 5.1% of GDP, for 2025. However, they differed sharply on solutions. Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, who is leading in first-round polls, announced her party would present a 125 billion euro cost-cutting plan, stating there was a "general consensus on the seriousness of the situation." In contrast, hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon urged business leaders to raise wages to prevent France from "falling into recession" and criticized what he called tax giveaways under Macron that he said...