Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon rise in the polls ahead of next year's presidential election in France

Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon are strengthening their positions in voting intentions ahead of France’s presidential election, scheduled for next spring, according to a Toluna Harris Interactive poll published on Monday and conducted from November 3 to 5.

The candidate of the far-right Rassemblement National would receive between 34% and 36% of the vote in the first round, depending on the scenario analyzed. The result is close to that recorded in the previous poll, when Marine Le Pen was credited with 35%-37%.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the radical left-wing La France Insoumise party, would receive 18% or 19% and qualify for the second round in all five scenarios analyzed. In a potential runoff, the poll indicates that Le Pen would be a clear winner against Mélenchon.

The results highlight the increasingly pronounced polarization of France’s political scene, as President Emmanuel Macron’s second and final term draws to a close. The head of state’s low popularity and economic difficulties have weakened the political center and favored radical parties.

Mélenchon recently presented his electoral program, criticizing NATO and “American wars” and pledging measures to revive the economy. He ran unsuccessfully in the 2012, 2017 and 2022 presidential elections. Marine Le Pen reached the second round in 2017 and 2022, but was defeated by Emmanuel Macron each time.