Polarization Grows in French Politics: Le Pen and Melenchon Head Toward Runoff
Recent polls show far-right figure Marine Le Pen and left-wing rival Jean-Luc Melenchon reaching the second round in all possible scenarios in France.
A new opinion poll conducted in France has revealed that far-right leader Marine Le Pen and radical left rival Jean-Luc Melenchon have increased their dominance over other candidates.
Poll Results and Runoff Scenarios
The poll, conducted by Toluna Harris Interactive between October 5 and 8, confirmed that the duo of Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Melenchon will advance to the second round in all tested scenarios.
According to the research, Le Pen ranks first in the first round with votes ranging between 35 and 37 percent, while Melenchon also advances to the second round in all five different scenarios examined.
Political Polarization and the Macron Era
With the end of President Emmanuel Macron's second and final term in office, France's political center is weakening while political polarization in the country is visibly deepening.
The weakening economy and frayed political center are paving the way for hardline parties such as the National Rally and La France Insoumise.