2027 Presidential Election: French voters deeply divided on Le Pen's candidacy, according to polls following her conviction

Two polls show divergent results regarding Marine Le Pen's candidacy in the presidential election: 51% of French people believe she is right to run, according to Odoxa, compared to only 40% according to Elabe.

Two opinion polls, two significantly different results. The French are divided on Marine Le Pen's presidential candidacy. According to Odoxa, 51% believe she is right to run in the 2027 presidential election, while only 40% agree in an Elabe poll. Both studies were published on Wednesday, the first conducted with Backbone for Le Figaro, the second for BFMTV.

The Odoxa Institute notes that the majority opinion (37%) holds that this candidacy is "more of a handicap for the National Rally (RN) because even if Marine Le Pen can run, its campaign will be affected." This is tied with the idea that it is "neither an asset nor a handicap." The view that it would be "an asset for the RN because it allows the party to present its natural candidate for the presidential election" is twelve points lower (25%). The divide is even more pronounced among RN supporters: 42% of them believe it is a handicap, while only 27% consider it an asset.

A very divided France

Sentenced on Tuesday to a reduced 15-month ban from holding public office and to wear an electronic tag for one year, Marine Le Pen, who enjoys a 44% approval rating, was treated "like any other defendant" according to 39% of French people. In this Odoxa poll, almost as many believe she was treated "more leniently than other defendants" (38%).

A majority of those interviewed also said they were "indifferent" to the decision of the Paris Court of Appeal (35% to 37%), 32% to 34% said they were "shocked" or "dissatisfied", 30% to 31% "satisfied".