The summer lull is drawing to a close for France’s political class. While students still enjoy the final days of vacation, party leaders are being summoned back to the national stage. Left-wing parties kick off the traditional season of summer universities this weekend, followed by debates and rallies across the political spectrum. This year’s rentrée politique carries particular weight: it effectively launches the campaign for the 2027 presidential election.
Mélenchon Aims to Consolidate Left-Wing Leadership
La France insoumise is hosting its annual “Amfis” gathering in Châteauneuf-sur-Isère, near Valence in the Drôme region, starting Thursday, August 20. The program features workshops, conferences, film screenings, and concerts, culminating in Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s comeback rally on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Three months after a show of force in Saint-Denis that drew more than 20,000 supporters, the presidential candidate will seek to ride his momentum and cement his position as the left’s frontrunner. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin told La Voix du Nord on Tuesday, “I think Jean-Luc Mélenchon will be above 20% in the first round.”
The announced presence of Cyrielle Chatelain, leader of the Green deputies in the National Assembly, adds intrigue. La France insoumise officials hope to attract Green voters ahead of the presidential contest. Nearby, the Ecologists are simultaneously gathering their forces in Grenoble, Isère. Party leader and presidential candidate Marine Tondelier spoke Friday to reiterate her call for unity.
Communists and Socialists Prepare Their Returns
The Communist Party, led by Fabien Roussel, will meet in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, from August 21 to 23. Roussel, whose presidential candidacy must still be validated by party members in early September, is reappearing after several weeks away from the spotlight. He will address the gathering Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
The following weekend, from August 28 to 29, the Socialist Party will convene in Blois, Loir-et-Cher, continuing a tradition dating back to 2020. First Secretary Olivier Faure will hold a comeback meeting Saturday at 4 p.m. In July, during a visit to the Avignon Festival, Faure described himself as “one of the possible candidates in the primary” scheduled for October.
Former president François Hollande is also expected in Blois on Friday afternoon, though he is not scheduled to speak officially, according to our information. Hollande, who declared in April that he was “preparing” for a presidential bid, will publish a book on September 3 titled Unir. Nouveau monde, nouvelle gauche. Observers note that instead of “nouvelle France” — a concept popularized by Mélenchon — Hollande prefers the phrase “nouveau monde.”
Glucksmann Nears Candidacy Announcement
Raphaël Glucksmann, who could officially announce his candidacy on August 23 during TF1’s 8 p.m. news broadcast, according to multiple media reports, has not confirmed whether he will attend the Socialist summer university. The three-month reflection period he set for himself in late May officially expires, making an announcement imminent.
Right and Far Right Position Themselves
On the right, Édouard Philippe will make his comeback far from mainland France, traveling to Mayotte and La Réunion from August 21 to 25. The former prime minister, who aims to establish himself as leader of the “central bloc,” will reappear publicly after keeping a low profile since his July 5 rally in Paris.
Upon returning to metropolitan France, Philippe will join other presidential candidates at the first major campaign debate organized by the employers’ federation Medef. On August 27, on the center court at Roland-Garros, Mélenchon, Gabriel Attal, Bruno Retailleau, Marine Tondelier, Philippe, Marine Le Pen, and Glucksmann will face off. Philippe will then travel to Tourcoing in northern France for the August 30 comeback event of Gérald Darmanin, who has officially endorsed him.
No Formal Comeback Needed for Attal
Meanwhile, a parade of political figures from the right and far right is expected at the agricultural fair in Châlons-en-Champagne, Marne. Retailleau will appear on August 28, Jordan Bardella on August 29, followed by Attal on August 30. The latter has no need for a formal comeback, having dominated the political landscape all summer.
On September 5, Nice mayor and UDR leader Éric Ciotti will return to the spotlight with a day in Levens, Alpes-Maritimes, where Le Pen and Bardella could make appearances. The two far-right leaders will reunite on September 12 and 13 in Le Touquet, Pas-de-Calais, for their party’s parliamentary days. Éric Zemmour and his partner, MEP Sarah Knafo, will be in Port-Marly, Yvelines, on the same dates. By then, the presidential campaign will be underway for nearly everyone.
