--- ---  # French Presidential Frontrunners Macron and Le Pen Clash in a Heated Debate > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=385d9232-3871-49e4-83fa-24ad26b1e256&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=385d9232-3871-49e4-83fa-24ad26b1e256&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=385d9232-3871-49e4-83fa-24ad26b1e256&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=385d9232-3871-49e4-83fa-24ad26b1e256&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=385d9232-3871-49e4-83fa-24ad26b1e256&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=385d9232-3871-49e4-83fa-24ad26b1e256&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=385d9232-3871-49e4-83fa-24ad26b1e256&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=385d9232-3871-49e4-83fa-24ad26b1e256&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) ## Video: Two Frontrunners Emerge in First Round of French Presidential Vote [Watch (HLS stream): Two Frontrunners Emerge in First Round of French Presidential Vote](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/1jSAkHVd.m3u8) (2:14)  _Published 2017-02-10. Centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right populist Marine Le Pen advanced Sunday to a runoff in France's presidential election, remaking the country's political system and setting up a showdown over its participation in the European Union._  by [Vivienne Walt / Paris](https://time.com/author/vivienne-walt/)  ## Vivienne Walt / Paris Mar 21, 2017 2:05 AM UTC  French presidential election candidates (LtoR) Francois Fillon, Emmanuel Macron, Jean-Luc Melenchon, Marine Le Pen and Benoit Hamon, before a debate in Aubervilliers, outside Paris, France, March 20, 2017. French presidential election candidates (LtoR) Francois Fillon, Emmanuel Macron, Jean-Luc Melenchon, Marine Le Pen and Benoit Hamon, before a debate in Aubervilliers, outside Paris, France, March 20, 2017.Patrick Kovarik—Pool/Reuters  by [Vivienne Walt / Paris](https://time.com/author/vivienne-walt/)  ## Vivienne Walt / Paris Mar 21, 2017 2:05 AM UTC In a three-and-a-half-hour debate that stretched well past midnight, France’s five major[ presidential candidates](http://time.com/4666894/france-election-candidates-president/) sparred testily on live television Monday, several times lashing out at each other on sharply divisive issues like immigration, extremism and religion. The campaign, the most unpredictable French presidential race in decades, has thrown up [two outsiders ](http://time.com/4660869/french-election-francois-fillon-marine-le-pen-emmanuel-macron/)as the current front runners: Liberal economist Emmanuel Macron and [far-right populist ](http://time.com/4703325/the-power-of-le-pen/)Marine Le Pen. Each are polling at around 26% going into the first-round vote on April 23, and polls [suggest](http://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-election-france-idUSKBN16N0HR) that Macron will beat Le Pen in the decisive second round on May 7 to become the new French president — a sign that many left- and right-wing voters might band together to stop Le Pen from taking power. After months of tumultuous politicking that has gripped the country, Le Pen and Macron lobbed withering attacks at one another, each trying to break through their neck-and-neck race. **Read More:** [_The 5 Candidates in the Battle Royale for French President_](http://time.com/4666894/france-election-candidates-president/) “I just cannot summarize what you are saying,” Le Pen said to Macron near midnight in a condescending tone, as the candidates showed increasing fatigue; Macron was caught on camera rubbing his eyes. “It is empty,” she told him. “Every time you speak it is a little bit of that and a little bit of that.” Macron hit back, saying, “Unlike you, I want a strong France in Europe.” The debate highlighted just how uncertain France’s election is, just a month before the first vote. After generations in which France has been dominated by the Socialists and conservatives, neither party seems capable of winning. “The whole scenario of this presidential election is completely unprecedented,” Thierry Arnaud, political editor of France’s BFM Television, tells TIME by phone after the debate, at around 1 a.m. local time. Most amazing to many French, Le Pen’s victory is now not implausible — a stark change from previous attempts by her party, the National Front, to win high office in France. “I think she can win,” Arnaud said. “I am not saying it is likely. It is possible.” Macron, 39, is fighting his first-ever election campaign, and faced intense scrutiny throughout the debate in his first up-close comparison with far more seasoned politicians than himself. Until recently, the assumed front runner was former Prime Minister François Fillon, but he his popularity has crashed after [allegations](http://time.com/4700855/francois-fillon-charged/) he funneled about $1 million in [public funds ](http://time.com/4656233/francois-fillon-family-jobs-france-president/)to family members in no-show jobs. Fillon admitted on stage he had “made mistakes.” In the vacuum [Fillon’s woes](http://time.com/4662103/francois-fillon-french-presidential-race/) have left, Macron — who was briefly Economy Minister until starting his own political movement last year — is trying to use his inexperience to his advantage. “I am not a member of the political establishment,” he said to those around him, as though the phrase was an insult. “I am proud of having been a banker.” Coming across as someone who has much to offer — but perhaps much to learn — Macron was judged the “most convincing” of the five candidates by a sampling of 1,157 viewers of France’s BFM Television following the debate. But Arnaud disagrees. He says he found Macron “very weak” for the first hour on stage. “He needs to do better in the next debates to reassure those who wonder if he is enough of a heavyweight to be president.” **Read More:** [_With François Fillon in the Gutter, France Can Expect a Battle of Insurgents_](http://time.com/4660869/french-election-francois-fillon-marine-le-pen-emmanuel-macron/) Up against Macron’s centrist, moderate message is Le Pen’s fierce, hardline views that have found wide support among voters fed up with France’s tepid economy and insecurity. In this week’s[ TIME Magazine](http://time.com/4703325/the-power-of-le-pen/?xid=homepage&pcd=hp-magmod), voters said they supported Le Pen’s National Front party because of its strong protectionism against offshoring jobs, and that they liked her fierce patriotism. “I will defend the jobs of the French people,” she said on stage in the debate, citing Whirlpool Corp., which announced in January that it was shutting its French production and moving to Poland. Arnaud says Le Pen’s campaign strongly appeals to many voters. “She is running a very good campaign with a very clear and strong message,” he says. “And her main opponents all have their weaknesses.” There are deep schisms between the candidates that could have a far-reaching impact: The migrant crisis, fundamentalism and the crackdown on terrorism. Many human-rights groups have criticized France’s state of emergency, which has been in place since the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January 2015, for unfairly targeting French Muslims. **Read More:** [_The Power of Le Pen_](http://time.com/4703325/the-power-of-le-pen/) “There must be respect for freedom of conscience,” said far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon. “You have a right to be Muslim.” Le Pen pounced on that remark, saying, “We have Islamic radicalism in our country. If we turn a blind eye it is as if we do not want to see the truth.” Le Pen favors banning Muslim headscarves and yarmulkes in public, and the cover-all [burkinis](http://motto.time.com/4468799/muslim-designer-burkini-bikini/) on French beaches — an issue that exploded into a fierce debate after the attacks in Nice last July. “A few years ago we did not have burkinis on our beaches,” she said. “I know you, Monsieur Macron, are in favor of that.” With Le Pen consistently in the lead for the first-round vote, other warned that the prospect of her as president could spell disaster for Europe. Fillon said Le Pen’s plan to end France’s use of the euro, and to reinstate the French franc, would “draw our country into economic and social chaos.” Le Pen shot back: “Monsieur Fillon, you are fueling people’s fear. That is exactly what people did to Donald Trump.” French Presidential Debate: Macron, Le Pen Clash ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4707574/france-election-debate-macron-le-pen/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4707574/france-election-debate-macron-le-pen/"},"headline":"French Presidential Frontrunners Macron and Le Pen Clash in a Heated Debate","datePublished":"2017-03-21T02:05:29.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-23T03:56:35.502Z","description":"They sparred on issues such as immigration, terrorism and the burkini","url":"https://time.com/4707574/france-election-debate-macron-le-pen/","keywords":["France","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0fb0a32f84e42aba/6988bf34ab6d7793896ad49b/rtx31wpr.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Vivienne Walt / Paris"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0fb0a32f84e42aba/6988bf34ab6d7793896ad49b/rtx31wpr.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"French presidential election candidates (LtoR) Francois Fillon, Emmanuel Macron, Jean-Luc Melenchon, Marine Le Pen and Benoit Hamon, pose before a debate organised by French private TV channel TF1 in Aubervilliers","caption":"French presidential election candidates (LtoR) Francois Fillon, Emmanuel Macron, Jean-Luc Melenchon, Marine Le Pen and Benoit Hamon, pose before a debate organised by French private TV channel TF1 in Aubervilliers","creditText":"Patrick Kovarik—Pool/Reuters","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4707574/france-election-debate-macron-le-pen/","name":"French Presidential Frontrunners Macron and Le Pen Clash in a Heated Debate"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Two Frontrunners Emerge in First Round of French Presidential Vote","description":"Centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right populist Marine Le Pen advanced Sunday to a runoff in France's presidential election, remaking the country's political system and setting up a showdown over its participation in the European Union.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1jSAkHVd/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2017-02-10T19:56:32.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/1jSAkHVd.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4707574/france-election-debate-macron-le-pen/","duration":"PT2M14S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4707574/france-election-debate-macron-le-pen/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```