Emmanuel Macron said in a Variety interview at the Lumière Summit that he does not rule out running for a third presidential term, but pledged to finish his current mandate next May and to "reinvent" himself afterward. While France's constitution bars more than two consecutive terms, a non-consecutive run — for example in 2032 — would be legally possible. Public support is weak: an Ipsos poll on 12 September put his approval at 16% with 81% unfavourable. Early polls show Marine Le Pen leading the field ahead of 2027.
Macron Keeps Door Open To Third Term, Saying 'I Don't Exclude Anything'
Emmanuel Macron gave the interview in which he hinted at a third term after opening a summit on the film industry earlier this month - Pool/AFP via Getty Images/Valery Hache
French President Emmanuel Macron said he is not ruling out a return to the Élysée Palace in future, even if a third consecutive term is constitutionally barred. Speaking to Variety at the Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Mr Macron laughed when asked whether he was considering another mandate, then offered an open-ended reply that left the possibility alive.
"I will finish my term next May, and my people, the French people will elect somebody else. This is the mission of life. And I was extremely honoured and proud to do it during all these years and after that I will have to reinvent something else. But I don't exclude anything. It's quite unusual to come back, but we will see. Life is inventive, sometimes more than movies."
The Lumière Summit is an international forum dedicated to the future of cinema; Mr Macron attended the event alongside international guests, including actor George Clooney. The interview clip was published online on Friday.
Mr Macron was joined at the film summit by international guests including George Clooney, far left - Pool/AFP via Getty Images/Valery Hache
Legal and Political Context
Under the French Constitution a president may serve only two consecutive terms. Mr Macron's second term ends next spring, but that restriction would not prevent him from running again at a later date: he would technically be eligible to stand in 2032 if he chose to do so.
Public opinion, however, presents a significant obstacle. An Ipsos poll published on 12 September placed Mr Macron's approval rating at just 16%, while 81% of respondents expressed an unfavourable view of his performance.
Historical Precedent and Political Reaction
No French president has yet served three terms, and only two — François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac — have completed two full terms. Macron loyalists have already floated the idea of a future comeback; former cabinet minister Marlène Schiappa told FranceInfo that, with time and hindsight, Mr Macron could be seen as a plausible fallback option, particularly based on his international record.
Marine Le Pen is the front-runner in the polls as next year's presidential election approaches - Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images/Idriss Bigou-Gilles
Mr Macron previously hinted at a long-term role for himself at a rally last year for Jeunes en Marche, the Renaissance party's youth wing. Addressing young activists he said:
"I'll also need you in two years, in five years, and in 10 years – because you'll be there, and because, you can count on me, I'll be there with you."
Implications Ahead Of 2027
As the 2027 presidential contest approaches, Marine Le Pen of the hard-right National Rally is leading early polls. Other frequently mentioned figures include centrist former prime minister Édouard Philippe and hard-left leader Jean‑Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed.
Separately, France holds senate elections this weekend: 178 of the upper house's 348 seats are up for renewal. National Rally aims to expand its representation from three seats to 10 — the threshold required to form a parliamentary group — while France Unbowed seeks to win its first seat in the senate.
Bottom line: Macron's comments keep the door open to a future return, but low approval ratings and a difficult political landscape mean any comeback would face steep hurdles.
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