Follow the latest updates as polls predict a tight first round finish between the president, Emmanuel Macron, and Marine Le Pen, from the far-right National Rally
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The polling gap between the two favoutites has narrowed dramatically over the past few weeks. Exactly a month ago, on 10 March, Emmanuel Macron – buoyed by a rally-round-the-flag effect following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – stood at about 30% and Marine Le Pen at about 18%, according to the Guardian’s election tracker.
On average, the latest polls put the two on 26% and 23% respectively, a difference that is equivalent to many polling organisations’ margin of error. The far-left firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise (Unbowed France) has also surged over the same period, from 12% to 17%.
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Source: The Guardian