As the 2027 French presidential campaign begins to take shape nearly seven months before the end of Emmanuel Macron’s five-year term, candidates are already outlining their positions on key issues. During the Playbook Paris event organized by POLITICO, Marine Le Pen, Gabriel Attal, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon each presented their initial campaign ideas on topics such as Ukraine, the Middle East, Europe, fuel prices, public debt, and artificial intelligence. Their varied stances suggest a campaign that could be highly competitive and fragmented. On the issue of Ukraine, Gabriel Attal, who represents the Renaissance party, argues that Europe must become a "continent power" in a world where influence is shifting from individual nations to broader regions. He sees support for Ukraine not as a humanitarian effort but as an investment in France’s own interests, calling for Russia to cover the costs and backing Ukraine’s requests for both material and aerial assistance. In contrast, Marine Le Pen, the candidate for the National Rally (RN), supports Ukraine but opposes further financial aid to France, citing budget constraints. She supports continuing military training for Ukrainian forces and some material assistance, while also advocating for diplomatic efforts to seek a peace solution and avoid conflict with a nuclear power. She criticizes France’s perceived absence from negotiations. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, representing the Insoumise party, supports Ukraine’s withdrawal from Russian control but suggests a "strategy of small steps," setting a peace framework, bringing the conflict back to concrete discussions, and entrusting resolution to the United Nations. He also supports France’s exit from NATO, noting that France has historically operated outside its integrated command. Regarding fuel prices, Le Pen proposes reducing the VAT on fuel, estimating the cost at around 12 billion euros, and criticizes the current government’s approach as ineffective and expensive. She questions Macron’s ability to influence international situations and warns of potential economic collapse from prolonged crisis. Mélenchon, however, argues that the country is in a state of exasperation, with people cutting back on food, and warns that the situation could be worse than the Gilets Jaunes protests. He proposes capping fuel prices at 1.70 euros per liter and argues that Total should manage with its margins, advocating for a state of social and ecological emergency that does not undermine democracy. On public debt, Attal outlines a detailed plan for 150 billion euros in savings over five years, with a deficit under 3% by 2032. His proposals include pension reform with a capitalization component, reducing social spending, streamlining administrative structures, and reducing 100,000 civil service positions through voluntary departures, aided by artificial intelligence. He also prepares a contingency plan for market turmoil. He rejects potential alliances with the RN or LFI, citing distrust. Le Pen warns of a potential bond crisis and pledges to work for the least flawed budget possible, which she can later change if she becomes president. On artificial intelligence, both Attal and Mélenchon agree that regulation is necessary. Attal calls for international regulation modeled on nuclear standards to avoid Europe acting alone, while advocating for public procurement to support champions like Mistral and providing students with a sovereign AI companion. Mélenchon emphasizes "calm and control," advocating for public governance of strategic AI infrastructure and opposing the establishment of facilities over which France would have no control.