11 candidates running for French presidency

The French Supreme Court announced on March 18 that the upcoming presidential election officially has 11 candidates participating.

From left to right, the three most promising candidates: Marine Le Pen, Emmanuel Marcon and Francois Fillon

The French Supreme Court confirmed that 11 presidential candidates submitted at least 500 signed documents from election commissions before the deadline on the afternoon of March 17 as required by French Election Law.

From left to right, the three most promising candidates: Marine Le Pen, Emmanuel Marcon and Francois Fillon

Three candidates, including far-left leader Philippe Poutou, center-right leader Jean Lasselle and Jacques Cheminade, submitted their applications at the last minute.

They will compete with Francois Fillon, Benoit Hamon, Emanuel Macron, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, Jean Luc Melenchon, Nathalie Arthaud, Marine Le Pen and Francois Asselineau - candidates who completed their applications before March 17.

On the evening of March 20, the five "heaviest" candidates will participate in face-to-face debates broadcast live on French National Television.

These include far-right leader Marine Le Pen, centrist politician Emmanuel Macron, Republican candidate Francois Fillon, Socialist Party leader Benoit Hamon and French Communist Party-backed candidate Jean Luc Melenchon.

Previously, the 2012 French presidential election had only 10 candidates participating.

The first round of this year's election will be held on April 23, and the top two finishers will advance to the final round on May 7.

According to CAND