If you’re looking for a quick answer, it’s Emmanuel Macron. He is the President of the French Republic.
But honestly, just knowing his name doesn't really tell you the whole story of what's happening in Paris right now. France is currently in a bit of a weird spot. It’s January 2026, and Macron is basically a "lame duck" president, though he’d probably hate that term. He’s nearing the end of his second term, and the French constitution is very clear: you get two five-year stints, and then you’re out. No third chances.
Because of that, the political energy in France has already shifted. People aren't just looking at what Macron is doing today; they’re obsessing over who is going to replace him in 2027.
The Current State of the French Presidency
Emmanuel Macron first took office back in 2017. He was the youngest president in French history, a former investment banker who had never been elected to anything before. He kind of blew up the traditional party system. Gone were the old-school Socialists and the center-right Gaullists. In their place, he built a centrist movement called Renaissance (formerly En Marche!).
Right now, his presidency is defined by a "hung" parliament. This is pretty unusual for France's Fifth Republic. Usually, the president has a massive majority in the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament) to get laws passed. But since the 2024 snap elections, Macron hasn't had that.
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The result? A lot of gridlock.
Who actually runs the day-to-day?
While Macron handles big-picture stuff like foreign policy and the military, he shares power with a Prime Minister. Currently, that’s Sébastien Lecornu.
Lecornu took the job in late 2025 after a string of other Prime Ministers—Michel Barnier and François Bayrou—basically got chewed up and spat out by a divided parliament. It’s a tough gig. Lecornu is currently fighting to get the 2026 budget through without the government collapsing. In France, if the parliament doesn't like the budget, they can call a "motion of censure." If it passes, the Prime Minister has to resign immediately.
Why Everyone is Talking About 2027
Since the President of France can’t run again, the race for the Élysée Palace has started way earlier than usual. You’ve got big names already lining up.
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- Marine Le Pen: The face of the far-right National Rally. She’s come second in the last two elections.
- Édouard Philippe: Macron’s first Prime Minister. He’s popular, center-right, and seen as a "calmer" version of Macron.
- Gabriel Attal: Another former Prime Minister who is young and very media-savvy.
It’s a bit of a soap opera. Every move Macron makes is viewed through the lens of how it helps or hurts his potential successors.
What Macron is focused on in 2026
Even with the domestic drama, the President still has a lot on his plate. France is a nuclear power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Macron spent the start of 2026 dealing with the situation in Ukraine and trying to position Europe as a "third power" between the US and China.
Domestically, he’s pushing for things like:
- Universal National Service: A program for young people to bolster national unity.
- Labor Reform: Always a controversial topic in France.
- Climate Policy: Trying to make France a leader in green hydrogen and nuclear energy.
How the French Presidency Works (Simply)
In the US, the President is both the head of state and the head of government. In France, it's split.
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The President (Macron) lives in the Élysée Palace. He’s the "guardian of the Constitution." He signs treaties and is the Commander-in-Chief. He also has the "nuclear button."
The Prime Minister (Lecornu) lives in the Hôtel Matignon. They are responsible for the "action of the Government." They deal with the messy stuff like taxes, schools, and healthcare.
When the President and the Prime Minister are from the same party, the President is the undisputed boss. When they are from different parties, it’s called "cohabitation," and it’s basically a political marriage from hell. Right now, it’s somewhere in between—a fragile coalition that feels like it could break at any moment.
Practical Takeaways if You're Following French News
If you're trying to keep up with what's happening in France this year, don't just watch the President. Here is what actually matters:
- Watch the "Article 49.3" usage: This is a constitutional tool that lets the government pass a law without a vote. It’s effective but makes people incredibly angry. If you see this in the headlines, expect protests.
- Keep an eye on the polls: Not for Macron, but for the 2027 favorites. Marine Le Pen is currently leading in many hypothetical matchups, which is a massive shift for French politics.
- Monitor the streets: In France, the "street" is a political branch. If the unions (like the CGT) call for mass strikes, it can paralyze the country regardless of what the President wants.
The reality of who is president of France is that while Macron holds the title, his power is currently checked by a parliament that doesn't agree on much. He’s a leader trying to cement a legacy while the rest of the country is already moving on to the next chapter.
For your next steps, if you want to understand how this impacts Europe, look into the current "Weimar Triangle" meetings between France, Germany, and Poland. Those discussions are where the real decisions about European security are being made right now.