Marine Le Pen's Candidacy and RN's Strategy Shape France's Political Landscape in 2026

As France enters 2026, significant political challenges and strategic moves define the landscape for Marine Le Pen and her party, the Rassemblement National (RN), ahead of the presidential election scheduled for 2027. The country closed out 2025 without an official budget, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to call for urgent budget approval in January. The political climate is tense, with the RN and La France Insoumise (LFI) threatening censure over the upcoming budget and demanding it prioritize French interests.

Marine Le Pen faces a crucial legal challenge that could affect her eligibility for the 2027 presidential race. She is appealing a conviction related to parliamentary assistants, with her trial set from January 13 to February 12, 2026. This legal battle places her candidacy at a pivotal crossroads.

Meanwhile, the RN is actively preparing for the municipal elections in March 2026, which are widely viewed as a rehearsal for the 2027 presidential contest. RN spokesperson Thomas Ménagé emphasized that Marine Le Pen remains the party's presidential candidate and highlighted the RN's significant ground presence, with over 650 candidates already invested for the municipal elections.

Ménagé also voiced concerns about the government’s budget process, suggesting that if the budget doesn't serve French interests, it would be preferable to extend the previous year's budget. Further, he stressed the necessity of a firm stance against the European Commission on the Mercosur trade agreement and warned about foreign interference threats in French elections. The RN also supports government efforts to ban social media access for those under 15.

These developments signify the RN's consolidating strategy to leverage upcoming municipal elections as a springboard for the next presidential campaign, while navigating budgetary disputes and Le Pen’s legal obstacles.