Former French PM Gabriel Attal announces 2027 presidential candidacy

Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, 37, declared his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election on May 22, 2026, in the village of Mur-de-Barrez in the Aveyron department of southern France. "Since I profoundly love France and I profoundly love the French people, yes, I have decided to be a candidate to the presidency of the Republic," Attal said at the conclusion of a public debate with residents.

Attal, who leads President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, said his goal is to renew "the promise of elevation" — individual elevation so that "his children and grandchildren will have a better life" and collective elevation so that France "will become the leading power in Europe again." He framed his campaign around optimism, stating: "It will take hard work, it will require making choices, it will require making decisions, and it will require the strength to take action, but with that strength, everything is possible."

Attal served as prime minister from January to September 2024, becoming the youngest prime minister in French history at age 34. He is the first openly gay high-profile presidential candidate in France. In his announcement speech, he praised France as a republic that "allows each and every one of us to be treated as equals, regardless of our origins, regardless of our beliefs, regardless of the color of our skin, regardless of whom we love."

Attal is the second centrist candidate to enter the race, after fellow former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe. Macron cannot run again after two consecutive terms. Attal fell out with Macron after Macron's surprise 2024 dissolution of parliament, which Attal was not consulted about. He was eventually forced to leave as head of government. During France's political crisis in the fall of 2025, Attal said publicly he "no longer understands" Macron's decisions and accused his former mentor of "wanting to hold onto power" despite having lost the snap elections.

Far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella currently leads first-round polls with about 34%. Whether Bardella runs depends on an appeals court ruling on Marine Le Pen's embezzlement conviction, expected on July 7, 2026. Should the court bar Le Pen from running, Bardella would run instead.

Attal will hold his first major campaign rally in Paris on May 30, 2026.