Preparations for 2027: Macron Seeks to Shield France from a Potential Far-Right Rise
French President Emmanuel Macron is racing against time to safeguard his country against the possible election of a far-right president ahead of the 2027 presidential vote.
According to Politico, citing four current and former French officials, Macron is accelerating the appointment of close allies to key positions in order to ensure the continuity of his political and institutional influence after leaving the Élysée Palace.
Opinion polls show the National Rally (far right), led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, gaining ground as potential presidential contenders.
Their statements suggest intentions to roll back Macron’s economic reforms and reconsider France’s commitments to the European Union and NATO.
“He is concerned about the risks ahead and wants to strengthen his legacy,” a former diplomat said, as the West faces instability stemming from the war in Ukraine and the unpredictability of U.S. policies.
Broad appointments in foreign affairs and the central bank
Politico reports that Macron has already appointed one of his allies as head of the Court of Auditors.
At the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, a sweeping reshuffle is underway, going well beyond the traditional summer rotation of ambassadors. More than 60 embassies are expected to be affected, including those in Washington, London, Berlin, and Kyiv.
A French ambassador told Politico: “Everything will be settled before the presidential election in May 2027.”
Moreover, the early resignation last week of the Governor of the Banque de France, François Villeroy de Galhau, paves the way for Macron to appoint a successor for a six-year term before the next presidential election.
The outlet also noted that Macron’s decision to replace France’s top military general over the summer was partly driven by his desire to ensure a strong voice in that position in the face of a potential National Rally president.
In this regard, a senior military officer stated that the idea is to ensure that whoever holds the post has sufficient experience to command respect should they need to challenge controversial proposals by the National Rally, including a withdrawal from NATO’s integrated command structure.
According to the same sources, these personnel changes go far beyond the typical efforts of a president at the end of his term to secure his place in history.
They are viewed as a clear attempt to insulate French institutions from potential shocks that a National Rally-led administration might trigger.
A former diplomat further suggested that Macron may already be looking beyond 2027, particularly after having indirectly hinted at the possibility of running again in 2032.
When asked recently at a European summit about his efforts to protect institutions before leaving office, Macron described the question as “important” but declined to answer, noting that it was not on that day’s agenda.
