Far-right leader Marine Le Pen and hard-left rival Jean-Luc Melenchon are projected to face each other in a presidential run-off, according to a poll by Toluna Harris Interactive. The survey indicates Le Pen would win the first round with 35-37% of the vote, widening her lead and stressing the growing political polarization in France as President Emmanuel Macron's term concludes.
The projected run-off between far-right and far-left candidates signals a deepening political divide in France, potentially leading to significant shifts in economic and social policy as President Macron's term concludes.
PARIS, Oct 12 (Reuters) - French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and hard-left rival Jean-Luc Melenchon are projected to face each other in a presidential run-off, with Le Pen widening her lead in a poll that highlights growing political polarization as President Emmanuel Macron's era draws to a close.
The poll by Toluna Harris Interactive, conducted between October 5 and October 8, indicated that Le Pen would secure between 35% and 37% of the vote in the first round, depending on the scenarios tested. This represents an increase from a similar poll last month, which showed her with 33% to 36%.
Melenchon, the candidate for the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, is also seen as reaching the run-off in all five scenarios polled. Last month, he was shown finishing third in two out of five configurations.
The survey suggests Le Pen would defeat Melenchon comfortably in a head-to-head run-off. Macron, whose second and final five-year term is ending, leaves behind a weakened political center and a struggling economy, creating an opportunity for hardline parties like LFI and Le Pen's National Rally.
Melenchon has previously run for president three times (2012, 2017, 2022) but has not reached the second round. Le Pen has also contested the presidency three times, making it to the run-off in 2017 and 2022, but losing to Macron on both occasions.
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