The race against time has already begun in Paris. This is how Emmanuel Macron wants to protect France against the far right. “A challenge to Marine Le Pen's grand vision”
Poll results indicate that the far-right National Rally (RN) is the favorite in next year's presidential elections, and Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, its potential presidential candidates, signaled that they will seek to reverse Macron's economic reforms and to withdraw France from its commitments to the EU and NATO.
-He [Macron] worries about upcoming threats and wants to strengthen his legacy, says the former diplomat. And all this at a time when the West is struggling with instability caused by Russia's aggression and America's unpredictability.
Macron has already chosen an ally for the position of head of the Court of Auditors, the country's chief auditor. He nominated current budget minister Amelie de Montchalin, despite accusations of conflict of interest.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a thorough reorganization is underwaywhich goes beyond the traditional changes of ambassadors in French embassies. In the coming months, over 60 diplomatic missions, including in Washington, London, Berlin and Kiev, are expecting new ambassadors.
— Everything will be finalized before the presidential elections in May 2027, emphasizes the French ambassador in an interview with POLITICO.
The early resignation of Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau last week also paves the way for Macron to appoint a new person to the post, with a six-year term, before the next election.
Macron's decision to replace France's most senior general in the summer was partly motivated by desire having a strong voice in this positionto face the potential president of the National Union. A senior military officer, he believes the idea was to ensure the holder of the role had enough experience to be respected if he tried to oppose the Supreme Council's controversial proposals – including leaving NATO's integrated command.
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to the media during a briefing after the informal summit of EU leaders at Alden Biesen Castle, Belgium, February 12, 2026.Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images
The personnel changes go far beyond the actions of a leader trying to secure his place in history, note officials interviewed by POLITICO who asked not to be named. They claim that this is it a clear attempt to protect French institutions against possible shocks caused by Marine Le Pen's party.
For Macron, however, it is a difficult balancing act. Appointing close allies to some of these positions risks weakening their perceived independence and neutrality – regardless of the original motive for their appointment.
And when appointing allies to high positions, the French president may have dates other than 2027 in mind, says a former diplomat. It has not escaped anyone's notice that Macron, who cannot run for a third term in a row, has already suggested that may consider running in the presidential elections in 2032.
“A challenge to Le Pen's grand vision”
— President Macron is trying to block our institutions, hoping to maintain control over them and expand his influence, Bardella, the party's “Plan B” presidential candidate, said on Wednesday.
Jordan Bardell and Marine Le Pen, Paris, France, September 17, 2025.TELMO PINTONurPhotoNurPhoto via AFP / AFP
Asked at Thursday's European summit about his efforts to protect institutions from leaving office, Macron said it was an “important” question but declined to answer because it was not on the agenda.
The French president has previously caused similar controversy with other personnel changes. He was criticized last year for appointing a political ally with limited legal training to head France's highest constitutional body. Also, Macron's choice to represent France in the European Commission in 2024, Stephane Sejourne, has faced criticism due to their close ties.
France boasts one of the strongest presidential systems in Europe, but that doesn't mean its next leader will be able to easily dismiss or ignore Macron's appointees.
Personnel changes will constitute “a challenge to Marine Le Pen's grand vision of a real coup“, says French constitutional expert Benjamin Morel.
— The system is built with a number of security features. They may not secure Macron's legacy, but they will limit her executive power, even if it seems almost absolute in France, he adds.
“It's not a piece of cake”
There are more nominations on the horizon that are already controversial.
Macron will have to choose a new vice president of the Council of State — a key institution that serves as both the government's legal adviser and a judge in court disputes between citizens and the state. The current vice-president of this institution, who will turn 68 in May, will have to take mandatory retirement.
— Administrative law is not a piece of cake. “He deals with immigration disputes, public order, policing… all topics that are very sensitive,” notes Morel.
Meanwhile, within the EU, governments want to conclude talks on the bloc's next seven-year budget before 2027, a European Parliament official told POLITICO.
A debate is looming over whether there should be an attempt to extend Antonio Costa's term as president of the European Council before it expires – and that will happen shortly after the French presidential election, an official says. “This will definitely be a problem,” the official admits. — Unanimity is needed, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, if he continues in office, and the Czechs are in the same group as Le Pen, he adds.
