According to an Odoxa-Backbone poll conducted for Le Figaro, Édouard Philippe is preferred by voters over his potential rivals for the 2027 presidential election, despite continuing to express opposition to organizing a political primary.
Public Sentiment and the Debate Over Primaries for 2027
The question of establishing political primaries ahead of the 2027 race has created sharp divisions among political figures while finding significant backing within the general electorate. According to a YouGov survey conducted for Le Huffington Post between August 31 and September 3, 2026, among 1,039 representative French adults, 40 percent of citizens believe that right-wing and centrist parties should organize a primary to select a single common candidate. Meanwhile, 32 percent oppose the idea, and 27 percent remain undecided.
This appetite for an open selection process is particularly pronounced among specific political sympathizers. Data shows that 70 percent of individuals supporting the former presidential majority and 67 percent of sympathizers affiliated with Les Républicains favor holding a primary vote on the right and center. Even on the left, 59 percent of respondents support the concept of a right-wing primary.
Within the political class, stances vary widely. While figures such as Gabriel Attal and Bruno Retailleau have shifted their positions and no longer close the door on a primary, Édouard Philippe remains firmly opposed to the mechanism.
Parallel Developments on the Left
While the center and right grapple with the prospect of an informal or contested selection process, the political left is moving forward with a formal structured vote. The Parti socialiste and its ally Place publique have officially opened a primary campaign scheduled to take place from October 9 to October 17.
The field of contenders has expanded steadily, drawing entries from Raphaël Glucksmann, Olivier Faure, Philippe Brun, Jérôme Guedj, Ségolène Royal, Emmanuel Maurel, and Frédéric Verdier. Unlike historical iterations—such as the 2.8 million voters who turned out in 2011 for François Hollande or the more than 2 million participants who launched Benoît Hamon’s 2017 campaign—organizers expect a substantially smaller turnout this autumn.
Participation rules require non-militants to pay an entry fee ranging from 10 to 15 euros to cast a ballot. Despite these financial barriers, YouGov data indicates that 12 percent of the French public are considering participating in the contest, a figure that rises to 23 percent among left-wing sympathizers. Furthermore, 40 percent of overall respondents view the left’s primary initiative as a positive development, compared to 21 percent who consider it a negative step.
Next Steps and Unresolved Political Pressures
As the autumn primary dates approach for the left, the internal debate over candidate selection mechanisms continues to exert mounting pressure on Édouard Philippe and the leadership of the former centrist bloc. With broader public opinion registering strong support for organized selection votes across the political spectrum, the leadership calculations of major figures heading toward 2027 remain an open question ahead of upcoming political declarations and party conventions.
