PARIS, July 5 -- The American ambassador to France said the US Embassy is watching the French presidential campaign closely, as the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron - constitutionally barred from a third consecutive term - begins to take shape ahead of the April 2027 vote.

Charles Kushner told the Journal du Dimanche that he had met with all major presidential candidates except those from the far left, describing his role as building bridges rather than influencing outcomes. "My role is not to influence but to build bridges," he said, according to the newspaper.

Kushner is the father of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser. His appointment came after Trump pardoned him in 2020 following a 2004 federal conviction...