French Far-Right Extends Poll Lead as Campaign Ends As the French presidential election campaign draws to a close, the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has extended her lead in the polls. According to a recent survey by the Ipsos polling agency, Le Pen now has 49% of the vote, compared to 51% for incumbent President Emmanuel Macron. This represents a 2-point increase for Le Pen since the previous poll last week. Le Pen’s surge in popularity has been attributed to several factors, including concerns about immigration, security, and the rising cost of living. She has also tapped into a sense of disillusionment with the political establishment and a desire for change. Macron, meanwhile, has struggled to maintain his lead in the polls. He has been criticized for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and for his perceived elitism. The two candidates will face off in a televised debate on Wednesday evening, which is expected to be closely watched by voters. If Le Pen were to win the election, it would be a major upset. She would become the first female president of France and the first far-right leader to be elected to the post in decades. However, Macron is still the favorite to win the election. He has a strong base of support among centrist and left-leaning voters, and he is seen as a more experienced and capable leader than Le Pen. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for France and for Europe as a whole. A Le Pen victory would send shockwaves through the EU and could embolden far-right movements across the continent. The results of the election will be announced on Sunday, April 24.France’s Far-Right National Rally Extends Lead in PollsFrance’s Far-Right National Rally Extends Lead in Polls The National Rally (RN), France’s far-right party, has further extended its lead in opinion polls ahead of the first round of parliamentary elections on Sunday. An OpinionWay poll for Les Echos newspaper shows the RN could reach 37% of the popular vote, a 2% increase from a week ago. Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Together party stands at 20%, down by 2 points. The New Popular Front left-wing alliance has remained unchanged at 28%. Another poll by Elabe for BFM TV suggests the RN and its allies could win between 260 and 295 seats, potentially giving them an absolute majority in the National Assembly. However, accurate seat projections are difficult due to the outcome depending on results in 577 constituencies. Potential Cohabitation with Macron An RN victory would lead to a “cohabitation” with Macron for the remainder of his term, marking the first time a French president has shared power with a party outside the political mainstream. The RN, led by Marine Le Pen, has toned down some of its anti-European Union positions and vowed fiscal responsibility. However, its election promises raise questions about funding and the implications of its Euroscepticism for EU integration. Accusations of Racism Despite efforts to detoxify the party, the RN faces accusations of racism. Critics argue that its “French first” policies are rooted in xenophobia. In a recent TV debate, Macron’s Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, accused the RN of tolerating racist speech within its ranks, an accusation rejected by RN challenger Jordan Bardella. Anger at Macron The RN’s popularity has been fueled by anger at Macron. Some voters perceive him as ignoring their concerns about the cost of living and public services. Should the RN win, Le Pen has indicated she would challenge Macron’s choice for France’s commissioner in the European Commission.French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has extended her lead in the polls ahead of the second round of the presidential election, according to a new survey. The poll, conducted by Ipsos Sopra Steria, found that Le Pen is now on 48.5%, up from 46% in the previous poll. Her rival, Emmanuel Macron, is on 51.5%, down from 54%. The poll was conducted after Macron and Le Pen faced off in a televised debate on Wednesday night. The debate was widely seen as a victory for Le Pen, who was praised for her performance. Macron’s campaign has been damaged by a number of factors, including the rising cost of living and the war in Ukraine. Le Pen has been able to capitalize on Macron’s unpopularity, promising to lower taxes and to take a tougher stance on immigration. The second round of the election will be held on Sunday, April 24. Macron is still the favorite to win, but Le Pen’s lead is narrowing.