Updated

France's far-right National Rally reached a preliminary deal on 10 November 2026 with two European banks for a 10.6-million-euro loan to fund Marine Le Pen's campaign. Party treasurer Kevin Pfeffer said the banks, whom he did not name, are expected to give a final answer by the end of the month, and that he was optimistic. The party has struggled to find a lender because several French banks, including Société Générale and La Banque Postale, have refused, saying they no longer finance political activity. Apart from donations, a bank loan is the only way for a French party to finance a presidential campaign. Polls show Le Pen is the front-runner to replace President Emmanuel Macron in next spring's election. Candidates who reach the second round can claim state reimbursement of campaign expenses of up to 10.7 million euros. The National Rally previously took a 10.6-million-euro loan from a Hungarian bank in 2022, and a 9.4-million-euro loan from a Moscow bank that was repaid in 2023. Pfeffer warned in October that the party could support a campaign at a normal pace only until the end of 2026, after which it would have to find another solution. The article does not report the final terms of the new loan.