2022 French presidential election
OPINION: Why the Left in France has declined into electoral irrelevance
Current opinion polls for the 2022 French presidential election suggest defeat and humiliation lie ahead for the Left in France. John Lichfield examines just what's gone wrong for the Left.
OPINION: Rural France has reason to be grateful to Paris yet resentment runs deep
Many voters in rural France remain unhappy and resentful of the government in Paris, writes John Lichfield. The arrival of high-speed internet and new roads should be celebrated, but will they improve the mood in the French countryside or make matters worse?
Centre-right presidential pick vows to make France EU's top power
The French conservative party's candidate for next year's presidential election promised to make France Europe's strongest power and stop "uncontrolled immigration" in her first major campaign speech on Saturday.
France's new right-wing presidential nominee surges in polls
A new poll places Valérie Pécresse, presidential candidate for The Republicans, beating Emmanuel Macron in next year's presidential election.
ANALYSIS: We can expect more violence during French presidential campaign
The first election rally by French far-right runner Eric Zemmour was marred by several violent incidents against anti-racism protesters, the media and even the candidate himself. Is this a worrying sign of things to come during the French presidential election campaign?
Zemmour rally near Paris marred as anti-racism activists attacked during protest
French far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour launched his presidential campaign in front of thousands of cheering supporters waving the tricolore on Sunday at an event that saw anti-racism activists punched and assaulted during a protest.
France's right wing party chooses Paris region chief as presidential candidate
France's traditional right-wing party on Saturday chose the chief of the Paris region Valérie Pécresse as its candidate to challenge centrist President Emmanuel Macron in elections in April next year.
French conservatives pick shortlisted candidates
In a shock result, Eric Ciotti and Valerie Pecresse came out on top in the first round of voting in primaries for the centre-right Les Républicains party. After another vote, one of them will go on to challenge Macron at the 2022 presidential election.
Who will France's traditional right-wing party chose to challenge Macron?
Whoever wins The Republican party primary could dramatically influence the 2022 presidential election in France. Here is a breakdown of the potential candidates.
French far-right TV pundit Zemmour announces bid for presidency
Far-right pundit Eric Zemmour - twice convicted for hate speech - announced on Tuesday that he would run for the French presidency in the 2022 election, in a YouTube video heavy on anti-immigrant warnings and pledges to restore the country's grandeur on the world stage.
ANALYSIS: What makes a winning French presidential candidate
The common touch, smart media strategy, a reputation as a good lover? We asked the experts what is the secret ingredient for a successful French presidential bid.
Why has there never been a female president of France?
While more and more women are being elected as MPs, France has never had a female president - we spoke to experts to ask why this is, and whether the pattern is likely to change.
How can you run for the presidency in France?
One day you're casually reading The Local. The next, you're governing France. Here's what you need to do to get your name onto the presidential ballot.
Meet the French Animal Party candidate running for president
In the land of foie gras and bullfighting you might expect animal rights concerns to be low on the agenda. But Hélène Thouy is hoping to change that by running for French president with the Animal Party. We spoke to her about her campaign and her party's aims.
Security and money: French centre-right candidates clash in TV debates
French right-wing presidential candidates vying to clinch the nomination for the Republicans party took aim at President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in the first of several televised debates they hope will energise their flagging campaigns.
ANALYSIS: How reliable are French opinion polls?
Whether it's anti-vaccine sentiment or support for the far-right, French polls frequently throw up some surprising results - but how seriously should we take what the French tell pollsters?
Paris mayor Hidalgo wins Socialists' presidential nomination
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has been nominated as the presidential candidate of France's Socialist party, partial party vote results showed on Thursday, despite her languishing in the race to unseat incumbent Emmanuel Macron.
ANALYSIS: Why the risks for Macron's re-election bid are mounting
President Emmanuel Macron remains the favourite to win France's next election but six months before the polls he faces the uncomfortable situation of not knowing the identity of his main challenger.
French poll predicts Zemmour-Macron showdown in 2022 presidential election
A poll in France suggested on Wednesday for the first time that far-right pundit Eric Zemmour would qualify for the second round of next year's presidential election and eclipse traditional far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
OPINION: Zemmour won't worry Macron, but he should worry France
Far-right TV pundit - and convicted promoter of racial hatred - Eric Zemmour is riding high in the polls ahead of the French presidential election. John Lichfield looks at who the candidate is and what his popularity means for France.
Ex-Brexit negotiator Barnier announces French presidential bid
The EU's former chief negotiator on Brexit, Michel Barnier plans to stand as a candidate against President Emmanuel Macron in next year's presidential elections, pinpointing limits on immigration as a key policy pledge.