Le Pen seeks to calm business fears ahead of French presidential debate

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen sought to reassure business leaders on Thursday, saying they have no reason to be alarmed by the policy proposals of her National Rally party. Her comments came as she arrived at the annual meeting of MEDEF, the country's main employers' federation, for a debate with other presidential contenders.

"Entrepreneurs who have taken the time to examine the National Rally's proposals have no reason to be alarmed by the measures we are proposing," Le Pen said.

Her appearance before the business audience comes at a tense moment for the French economy. Blue-chip stocks hit a one-month low earlier in the day, with investors rattled by political uncertainty and the upcoming budget process ahead of next year's presidential election.

Opinion polls consistently show Le Pen, who is anti-immigration and eurosceptic, winning the first round of the election in April by a wide margin. She is also seen as well-placed to win the run-off in May. Recent surveys suggest far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon could be her opponent in the second round, though other projections point to center-right former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe making it through.

The debate comes as France braces for a difficult budget season. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's minority government is expected to set its 2027 deficit target in the coming weeks and must present a budget bill to parliament by October 6. Political parties are already jockeying for position ahead of the vote, while investors look for signs that Paris can bring public finances under control.

A poll by OpinionWay for MEDEF found that 82% of business owners are pessimistic about the impact of the next president's policies on the economy, regardless of who wins.

Melenchon, Philippe, former centrist Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, and center-left candidate Raphael Glucksmann were also scheduled to take part in the debate.