France’s 2027 Election Risks Polarized Runoff as Bardella and Mélenchon Gain Ground

A political scenario once viewed in Brussels as highly unlikely is now being discussed with increasing seriousness: a French presidential runoff in 2027 between two candidates from opposite ends of the political spectrum, both deeply critical of aspects of the European Union and NATO, POLITICO writes. For months, Jordan Bardella, the young leader of the far-right National Rally, has remained the favorite in polling for the presidential race. The expectation among many centrist and moderate political figures was that a mainstream candidate would eventually emerge to challenge him in the second round and rally voters against the far right....