Bruno Retailleau, the leader of France's conservative party Les Républicains and a former interior minister, has officially declared his intention to run in the 2027 presidential elections. At 65 years old, he is positioning himself within a rapidly shifting political landscape, especially with national sentiment gravitating towards right-wing populism. Recent polling by Odoxa indicates that Retailleau could secure 8-10% of the votes in the first round, although it remains uncertain whether he will become the official candidate for his party.

The upcoming 2027 elections are particularly significant as current president Emmanuel Macron will not be running for re-election due to the completion of his term. As a result, France will witness a new leader emerging from this political contest. Recent polls suggest that the far-right party National Rally (RN) is likely to win the first round, casting doubt on the chances of traditional parties like Les Républicains to maintain their influence in a changing political field. The RN's candidate is still undetermined, with the court set to decide on Marine Le Pen's eligibility following her conviction on fraud charges.

The context of this election underscores a broader trend in France where populist sentiments are gaining traction among voters, challenging the traditional political parties. Retailleau's candidature reflects an attempt to reclaim some of this political ground, but with the rise of the RN, he faces stiff competition. The outcome of these elections is likely to influence both French domestic policy and broader European political dynamics in the years to come.