Florian Philippot will be a candidate in the 2027 presidential election, unless De Villiers enters the race.

Florian Philippot took the plunge this Saturday, May 9th, on France 2, officially announcing his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. The former vice-president of the National Front, now head of the Les Patriotes movement, justified his decision by his refusal to participate in a runoff between Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Jordan Bardella. He expressed confidence in his ability to gather the 500 endorsements from elected officials required to secure his place in the first round.

A conditional application

This candidacy, however, remains conditional. Philippot has clearly indicated that he would be prepared to withdraw if a more unifying figure emerged within the sovereignist camp. Several sources mention, in particular, the name of Philippe de Villiers, a historical figure of the nationalist right, whose potential candidacy could change the situation. The former National Front official is clearly seeking to avoid a split in the vote within his political family.

A radical sovereigntist stance

This announcement comes as the French political landscape is restructuring two years before the presidential election. Philippot, who left the National Rally in 2017 to found Les Patriotes, is trying to position himself as the bearer of a radical sovereignist line, hostile to the European Union and the euro.