National Rally leader Marine Le Pen’s party has a preliminary agreement for a €10.6 million loan from two European banks to finance her 2027 presidential bid, pending their response.
France 24 reported the development Tuesday, citing AFP. Pfeffer said the lenders were expected to answer by the end of November, France 24 reported, citing AFP. He did not identify them and said he was “quite optimistic.” Pfeffer said the preliminary agreement reflected confidence in the party’s loan application and the guarantees it offered, France 24 reported.
The party has struggled for years to borrow from French banks, according to France 24. Societe Generale and La Banque Postale were among lenders that declined political financing, saying they no longer provide it, the outlet reported. France 24 said donations and bank loans are the funding channels available to parties running presidential campaigns.
National Rally has previously sought credit abroad. It received €10.6 million from a Hungarian bank in 2022, France 24 reported. The party also took out a separate €9.4 million loan from a Moscow bank, which it repaid in 2023.
At an October congress in Orleans, Pfeffer said the party could sustain its usual campaign activity through the end of the year but would need another solution afterward, France 24 reported. The outlet also said candidates who reach the runoff can qualify for state reimbursement of campaign expenses, capped at €10.7 million.
The French government has scheduled the first round for April 18, 2027, followed by a May 2 runoff, according to EconoTimes’ earlier report on the election calendar. Pfeffer said the lenders are expected to respond by the end of November.
