A new poll released ahead of the presidential election expected to be held in France in 2027 has signaled a deepening of political polarization in the country. According to the poll, while prominent far-right figure Marine Le Pen appears to have a clear lead in the first round, far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has emerged as the strongest rival capable of reaching the second round in many scenarios.
It was noted that the leader of La France Insoumise (LFI), Mélenchon, reached the second round in at least three of the five scenarios evaluated in the poll, and tied for second place in another. It was projected that Le Pen would maintain a comfortable lead against Mélenchon in a potential second round.
The poll estimated that Mélenchon could receive between 16 and 17 percent of the vote in the first round, while Le Pen's vote share could range between 35 and 38 percent. In the second round, it was calculated that Le Pen would receive 64 percent of the vote against Mélenchon.
The results have reinforced commentary that centrist politics in France is struggling to reach voters as Emmanuel Macron's second and final term nears its end. Édouard Philippe, a candidate positioned in the center, also assessed the situation, stating, "The risk of Ms. Le Pen and Mr. Mélenchon facing each other in the second round is real and serious."
Mélenchon previously ran in the 2012, 2017, and 2022 presidential elections but failed to reach the second round in any of them. The new poll shows that in a period where centrist politics is weakening, the election race in France could be shaped by actors positioned at the extremes.
News Source: 12punto
