2022 French presidential election
OPINION: Why a Macron election walk-over could lead to trouble on the streets in France
A second term for French president Emmanuel Macron now seems highly likely, but John Lichfield argues that a proper campaign is vital if Macron is to avoid spending much of his second term dealing with a new version of the often violent 'yellow vest' protests.
Macron promises to axe France's TV licence if he is re-elected
In his first campaign rally, Emmanuel Macron has laid out his re-election campaign, including a promise to end the TV licence fee (albeit without explaining how France's public service media will be financed in future).
Today in France: The latest news from the 2022 French presidential election
The 2022 French presidential election campaign is now officially underway. Each weekday our new early morning roundup 'Today in France' takes a look at the latest news, events and gossip from the campaign trail.
Reader question: Could the French presidential election be postponed because of Ukraine war?
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has certainly distracted attention away from the French presidential race, but could the elections be postponed because of it?
Revealed: The 12 confirmed candidates for the French presidential elections
France's Constitutional Council has published the final list of candidates who will appear on the ballot papers for the presidential elections in April.
Today in France: The latest news from the 2022 French presidential election
The 2022 French presidential election campaign is now officially underway. Each weekday our new early morning roundup "Today in France" takes a look at the latest news, events and gossip from the campaign trail.
Elections: 5 key points from Macron's letter to the French people
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would run for reelection in a long letter to the French population, published in French regional newspapers on Friday. We take a look at the key points of his missive.
Macron announces his bid for re-election as French president
Emmanuel Macron has formally confirmed that he will run for re-election in a letter published in the French regional press, just 24 hours before the deadline for candidates to declare for the April elections.
Far-right French presidential candidate 'forgot to pay at grocery store'
The French TV pundit turned far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour has been hit with a campaign scandal when a magazine reported that he walked out of a posh Paris grocery store without paying for his purchases.
OPINION: Macron is on the right side of history and will win the French election
As his opponents scramble to distance themselves from their past Putin-worship, Emmanuel Macron has emerged as the man on the sight side of history and is now virtually guaranteed a victory in the French election, argues John Lichfield.
Le Pen and Zemmour pass 'parrainage' test to run for French presidency
Far-right candidates Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour have gained enough signatures of sponsorship to be listed as candidates in the first round of this year’s French presidential elections.
FACT CHECK: Is France facing a cost of living crisis?
Purchasing power, unless eventually eclipsed by the unfurling crisis in Ukraine, remains the first issue on voters' minds when it comes to the upcoming presidential election in France - but how much of a problem is it in France?
OPINION: Macron has woken up the French economy, but will voters thank him?
The latest economic data coming out of France is very positive, but a cost-of-living crisis could yet cost Emmanuel Macron dearly at the ballot box, says John Lichfield.
France's Macron 'to kick off re-election bid in March'
French President Emmanuel Macron will launch his re-election bid on March 5th with an inaugural campaign rally in Marseille, three sources in his centrist La République en Marche (LREM) party told AFP on Wednesday.
French elections: Is Marine Le Pen really halting her campaign?
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen announced on Tuesday that she is 'suspending' her campaigning for the French presidential election - so what does this really mean?
Where do the French presidential candidates stand on hunting?
The death of a 25-year-old hiker has prompted renewed calls for a crackdown on hunting in France - but what exactly are the candidates in the French presidential election proposing?
FACT CHECK: How committed is France to tackling environmental issues?
With an election looming environmental issues are back on the table - but just how important are these to voters? And what is the record of France's politicians on tackling the climate emergency?
OPINION: Fear and laziness explain Pécresse's disastrous French election start
Valérie Pécresse, French presidential candidate for the centre-right Les Républicains party, gave what was described as a 'make or break' speech at a campaign rally over the weekend. It did not go well. John Lichfield analyses the problems behind her campaign.
LISTEN: The Local's French election podcast
As France prepares for a battle over its political soul - and maybe also the future of Europe - The Local is launching a special election podcast featuring our expert columnist John Lichfield. You can listen to the pilot episode here.
Steak, wine or cous cous: What foods really represent France in 2022?
Follow a French election campaign for long enough and most candidates will start talking about food - but only certain types of food.
5 things to know about French presidential campaign financing
Candidates in France's upcoming presidential election will need to respect strict campaign finance rules or risk legal repercussions.
'Happy days' - Why France's Communist party is hoping for a return to glory
Armed with its most charismatic leader in decades, France's Communist party is hoping for a return to its glory days in the 2022 presidential election campaign - here's what you need to know about the party and its place in modern French politics.
French elections: What is 'parrainage' and how does it affect candidates?
If you follow French politics, it's about this time that you will start to see a lot of mentions of parrainage - here's what that means and how it affects the race for the presidency.