Can Mélenchon Replicate Past Election Success in 2027? | Le Figaro

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of La France Insoumise (LFI), has seen his public approval rating plummet to 25% as of January 2026, according to the latest Ifop poll for Paris Match. This marks a dramatic decline from the 68% positive opinion he enjoyed in the lead-up to the 2017 presidential election, when he ultimately finished fourth.

The recent poll reveals a striking reversal of fortunes, with Mélenchon now trailing even President Emmanuel Macron, who registered a 24% approval rating – the lowest of any public figure measured. The shift underscores a significant realignment within the French political landscape over the past decade.

Despite the sharp drop in public perception, Mélenchon’s current polling numbers remain consistent with those measured at similar points in previous election cycles, suggesting a degree of enduring support within his base. This resilience is occurring as France grapples with political uncertainty following parliamentary elections in 2022 that saw Macron’s centrist alliance lose its majority, bolstering the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen.

The political climate has been further complicated by legal challenges facing Le Pen. In March 2025, she was barred from running for public office for five years following an embezzlement conviction related to the “National Front assistants affair.” This development has reshaped the dynamics of the upcoming 2027 presidential election, with Jordan Bardella now positioned as a leading figure within the National Rally.

Macron’s own standing has been challenged, with growing calls from across the political spectrum – including figures from both the right and left – for him to step down. This discontent, as reported by CNEWS, reflects a broader erosion of confidence in the President’s leadership. Opinion polling for the 2027 election is underway, with a first round expected in April of that year, though Macron is ineligible to seek a third consecutive term.

The 2027 election is already shaping up to be a contest between a range of candidates, including Nathalie Arthaud (LO), Philippe Poutou (NPA), Fabien Roussel (PCF), François Ruffin (D!), Olivier Faure (PS), Raphaël Glucksmann (PP), Marine Tondelier (LE), Gabriel Attal (RE), Gérald Darmanin (RE), François Bayrou (MD), Édouard Philippe (HOR), Dominique de Villepin (LFH), Xavier Bertrand (NF), Laurent Wauquiez (LR), Bruno Retailleau (LR), Cyril Hanouna (DIV), Nicolas Dupont-Aignan (DLF), and Sarah Knafo (R!).