The government picked these dates after talking with political parties to make sure more people can vote, since the election falls during school vacations and the May 1 public holiday.

President Emmanuel Macron made the final choice for the later timetable over an earlier April 11 and 25 option, which was subsequently countersigned by the government.

French constitutional law dictates that the first round must take place between 20 and 35 days before the end of the sitting president's term. Because Macron's second mandate ends on May 14, 2027, the initial voting window was legally restricted to fall between April 9 and 24.

The officials ultimately selected the later April and May dates because fewer regions will remain on holiday during the May 2 round, giving more citizens the opportunity to vote.

This same holiday issue caused big debates before the 2022 election. Turnout dropped to low levels, reaching just 73.69 percent in the first round and 71.99 percent in the second.

The official decree calling voters to the polls will be published in France's Official Journal, prompting the Interior Ministry to set official deadlines for voter registration and candidate nominations.

To qualify for the ballot, presidential hopefuls must secure 500 confirmations from elected officials.

French law mandates that the final list of candidates be published no later than the fourth Friday before the first round—setting the 2027 deadline for March 26, though officials note it could be released earlier.

The announcement of the official calendar marks a major new stage in a pre-campaign that has accelerated rapidly since the municipal elections in March.

The centrist Renaissance party will be represented by Gabriel Attal, while the right-wing Republicans have selected Bruno Retailleau. On the hard-left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon has confirmed he will run for France Unbowed.

Former prime minister Édouard Philippe is scheduled to hold his first campaign rally in Paris this Sunday.

Just two days later, far-right leader Marine Le Pen will receive a high-stakes court ruling over the alleged misuse of European Parliament assistants by her party, the National Rally.

A ruling that bars Le Pen from standing for office for more than two years would block her fourth consecutive presidential bid, potentially clearing the path for National Rally president Jordan Bardella to take her place on the ballot.