France's 2027 presidential election, scheduled for April 18 with a potential May 2 runoff, features an unusually fragmented field of over two dozen declared or prospective candidates amid Macron's ineligibility for a third term. Marine Le Pen leads first-round polling at 33-36% after her July 2026 appeal reduced an eligibility ban, positioning Rassemblement National for a likely runoff spot, while alternatives like Jordan Bardella remain in reserve. On the left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon holds steady near 17%, with a Socialist primary set for October 2026 to select among figures including Raphaël Glucksmann. Center and right contenders such as Édouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal, and Bruno Retailleau face internal rivalries and must consolidate support plus secure 500 parrainages. Recent summer declarations and polling underscore consolidation risks and the impact of legal or party decisions on final ballot access.