Marine Le Pen

Macron, Le Pen battle for presidency as France heads to the polls

Emmanuel Macron is hoping to become the first French leader since Jacques Chirac in 2002 to win a second term in the final round of the presidential election.

Macron, Le Pen make final appeals as French vote campaign draws to close

President Emmanuel Macron accused far-right leader Marine Le Pen of trying to divide France, while the latter called on citizens to read her manifesto and wake up to what she called the failures of Macron's term.

Pro-Macron billionaire fiddles with French magazine’s independence

The Czech business tycoon attempted to give a pro-Macron slant to the magazine's election coverage, drawing flak from its editors.

Macron warns Le Pen risks 'civil war' in France with headscarf ban

French President Emmanuel Macron and far-right rival Marine Le Pen clash bitterly over Islamic headdress, ties with Russia and economic policy as they seek to sway undecided voters in a debate four days ahead of presidential elections.

Will far-left French voters back far-right Le Pen in the second round?

Jean-Luc Melenchon, the French far-left presidential candidate, has become a kingmaker, coming third in the first round. If Macron is cold-shouldered by Melenchon's supporters, far-right Le Pen might have a chance to snatch a victory.

Le Pen, Macron to face each other in key TV election debate

Both candidates are particularly keen to woo the electorate of hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, who finished a strong third in the first round.

Is France sleepwalking into a potential far-right win?

Critics say Macron’s policies since he faced Le Pen in 2017 have marginalised many voters and served to legitimise her ‘softened’ image, making Sunday’s outcome more difficult to predict.

EU’s anti-fraud body accuses Le Pen of embezzling French funds

The allegations come just over a week before the far-right leader Marine Le Pen goes head to head with incumbent Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the French presidential elections.

Macron, Le Pen slam 'shocking' corporate pay in heated French election

Shareholders reject a compensation package for Franco-Italian carmaker Stellantis' CEO amid outcry only days before French presidential vote that has focused on cost of living.

No political deal with Sarkozy over campaign endorsement: France's Macron

French media have speculated that French President Emmanuel Macron obtained ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy's endorsement after offering political influence in return.

Macron, Le Pen start French presidential runoff campaigns after first round

Incumbent Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen came out on top in the first round of presidential vote, setting up an April 24 replay of their duel in 2017.

France votes as Macron seeks second term in tight presidential race

The first round of polls is projected to produce a run-off rematch between incumbent Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen that could be far tighter than their duel five years ago.