French banks float state role in election campaign funding to reassure lenders

The proposal comes with less than a year to go before France’s 2027 presidential election, amid growing concern over how candidates fund campaigns. AFP/ JOEL SAGET

France's banking chief has suggested that early state support for political campaigns could be key to reassuring lenders, and help presidential candidates secure campaign funding.

France’s banking sector has floated the idea of state-backed support for presidential campaign financing, as political parties – notably the far-right National Rally (RN) – struggle to secure loans from commercial lenders.