Marine Le Pen assures French entrepreneurs her policies pose no threat ahead of debate

At the MEDEF gathering in Paris, Marine Le Pen addressed French business leaders, insisting that the National Rally's policy slate will not jeopardize entrepreneurial activity. She encouraged owners who have examined the party's proposals to stay calm, countering recent market anxiety that saw major French stocks dip to a monthly low. The comments precede the inaugural presidential debate, scheduled ahead of next year's election.

Opinion surveys consistently place Le Pen at the forefront of the first-round vote, with potential second-round rivals including Jean-Luc Melenchon, Edouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal and Raphael Glucksmann. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's minority cabinet must set a 2027 deficit target and present a budget bill by early October, intensifying fiscal pressures. An MEDEF-commissioned poll revealed that 82% of business owners fear the incoming president's economic impact, regardless of who wins.