A 47-year-old right

The 2027 presidential election is approaching, and many politicians are getting ready to compete for the Élysée. So who will the French choose to succeed Emmanuel Macron? A survey by Elabe for La Tribune, published on Saturday, April 18, 2026, paints a picture of the ideal president. And it’s a rare find they are looking for.

A person from the world of politics
Whether a politician, a business leader, or an intellectual, the polls are more in favor of a political profile to lead them: 51%, an increase of eight points compared to the last survey in 2020. The other two professions gathered 36% (+ four points) and 35% (+ three points) of favorable opinions.

On the other hand, a personality who has never been involved in politics is losing popularity: only 20% of the polls would be reassured by such a profile, a decrease of four points compared to 2020.

As for the declared candidates, there is no shortage of political professionals: Marine Tondelier, Édouard Philippe, Marine Le Pen, or Bruno Retailleau, to name a few.

A person around 47 years old
Nearly 10 years ago, Emmanuel Macron was elected as the youngest president of the French Republic, at 39 years old.

According to Elabe’s average, the ideal age for a presidential candidate would be around 47 years old. In detail:

• 8% want a president under 35 years old
• 22% between 35 and 44 years old
• 49% between 45 and 54 years old
• 17% between 55 and 64 years old
• 3% a president aged 65 or over

On paper, a potential candidate fits the ideal age: Raphaël Glucksmann, who will turn 47 on October 15th.

More of a right-leaning president
When it comes to political orientation, the Elabe survey shows that compared to 2020, the French prefer a president more on the right side.

• 3% of the polls want a very left-wing president (-1 point)
• 16% a left-wing positioned president (+2 points)
• 16% a centrist president (no change)
• 17% a right-wing positioned president (+4 points)
• 11% a very right-wing president (+3 points)
• 37% neither left nor right (-8 points)

The “neither-nor” that helped Emmanuel Macron win is now more tense than six years ago, although it remains technically the majority.

A president who soothes
Lastly, a large majority of the polls prioritize a president who soothes and unites society, even if it means delaying certain reforms: 57% of the polls. This opinion has increased by 17 points compared to the survey conducted in 2016, before Emmanuel Macron’s election.

In contrast, 42% of the polls want this ideal president to reform the country deeply.

As for the current options, who would be their ideal president? 53% of the French do not have a political figure who suits them. For 45%, there is at least one.

The survey was conducted online on April 14 and 15 with a sample of 1,000 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over, using quota sampling. The margin of error ranges from 1.4 to 3.1 points.

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