Race for French presidency sees ex-PM Philippe as early favourite to beat populists

Current polling indicates former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe is the leading centrist candidate in France's upcoming presidential election, potentially positioned to defeat populist contenders Marine Le Pen or Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Philippe, who leans right on economic issues and favors raising the retirement age, is cautiously campaigning despite a recent corruption probe. The political landscape is dominated by populist forces on the left and right, with Le Pen's party and Mélenchon's France Unbowed attracting significant support. Polls suggest Philippe is the only candidate capable of uniting a broad electorate against these populist movements in a potential second-round runoff.

Gabriel Attal, France's former prime minister and the country's youngest to hold the position, announced on Friday his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election. The 37-year-old centrist stated his dissatisfaction with the current political landscape, describing it as "managing decline." Attal made his announcement in the southern village of Mur-de-Barrez, a region where centrist parties aim to improve their standing against the far-right National Rally. He joins a field of candidates that includes former prime minister Edouard Philippe and Jean-Luc Melenchon. Attal's bid comes as current President Emmanuel Macron prepares to step down.