If you’re looking for a quick answer, here it is: Emmanuel Macron is the current President of France. He’s been in the top job since 2017 and won a second term in 2022. But honestly, just knowing his name doesn't tell you the whole story of what's actually happening in Paris right now.
It’s January 2026. Things are a bit of a mess.
Macron is currently navigating the final stretch of his presidency. He's what Americans would call a "lame duck," though the French don't really use that term. Because of the way their constitution works, he can't run again in 2027. This makes his current position both powerful and incredibly fragile.
The Man in the Palace: Who is Emmanuel Macron?
You've probably seen him on the news. He’s often portrayed as this young, energetic, and sometimes polarizing figure. Born in Amiens in 1977, he wasn't always a politician. He was an investment banker first. Then he served as a minister under the previous president, François Hollande.
In 2016, he did something crazy. He started his own political movement, En Marche!, and basically blew up the traditional left-right divide in French politics.
He won. Twice. But his second term has been a lot harder than his first. In 2024, he took a massive gamble by dissolving the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament) after his party got crushed in the European elections. It didn't go well. He lost his majority, and ever since, he’s been trying to govern a country that is deeply divided.
Who is Running the Government?
In France, the President is the head of state, but the Prime Minister is the head of government. It’s a bit of a "two-headed" executive system.
Right now, the Prime Minister is Sébastien Lecornu.
He took over in September 2025 after a period of intense political instability. Before him, there was a string of others—Michel Barnier, Gabriel Attal, Élisabeth Borne. It’s been a bit of a revolving door. Lecornu’s main job right now is trying to get the 2026 budget through a parliament where nobody can agree on anything.
- The President: Handles foreign policy, the military, and the "big picture."
- The Prime Minister: Handles the day-to-day grind of domestic laws and managing the parliament.
Basically, Macron sets the vibe, and Lecornu has to do the math.
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Why the Next Few Months Matter
We are officially in the "pre-campaign" phase for the 2027 election. Even though Macron can't run, everyone else is already measuring the curtains at the Élysée Palace.
You’ve got the usual suspects like Marine Le Pen on the far right, though she’s currently dealing with some legal headaches that might affect her eligibility. Then there are people like Édouard Philippe (a former PM) and Gabriel Attal who are eyeing the crown.
Domestic life in France right now is defined by a few big tensions. Farmers have been protesting again. There’s a massive debate about the 2026 budget and whether to raise taxes or cut spending. And then there's the international stuff—Ukraine, the relationship with the U.S. under a second Trump term, and the future of the EU.
Real Talk: Is Macron Popular?
Honestly? Not really. His approval ratings have been hovering in the "pretty low" range for a long time. People often find him arrogant or out of touch. They call him "Jupiter" because of his top-down style.
But, and this is a big "but," he’s also seen as a stable hand in a world that feels very unstable. Even people who don't like him often admit he's a heavyweight on the global stage. Whether it's trying to broker peace in the Middle East or pushing for a stronger European defense, he's always in the mix.
What You Should Do Next
If you're trying to keep up with French politics, don't just look at the President. The real action is happening in the National Assembly. Keep an eye on the 2026 budget debates. If Lecornu fails to pass the budget, his government could fall, and France could be back in a leadership crisis before the month is out.
- Follow the Prime Minister: Watch what Sébastien Lecornu does with "Article 49.3"—that’s a controversial constitutional tool that lets the government pass laws without a vote. It makes people furious, but sometimes it’s the only way they get anything done.
- Check the polls: Look for 2027 presidential polls. They’ll tell you more about the future of France than any current speech from the Élysée.
- Watch the borders: French foreign policy is usually a good indicator of where the EU is heading as a whole.
The current president of France might be Emmanuel Macron, but the "Macron Era" is definitely in its twilight. What comes next is anybody's guess.
Actionable Insight: If you're planning a trip to France or doing business there in 2026, be prepared for strikes. Political gridlock in Paris almost always translates to "manifestations" on the streets. Always check the SNCF (train) and RATP (Paris metro) schedules a day in advance for any "mouvement social."