PARIS, Nov 9 (Reuters) – French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and hard-left rival Jean-Luc Melenchon consolidated their lead in voting intention ahead of next year’s presidential election, a poll showed on Monday, as political polarisation in the country intensifies.
• Le Pen would top the first-round vote with between 34% and 36% depending on the scenarios tested by pollster Toluna Harris Interactive in a survey carried out between November 3 and 5
• A similar poll last month showed her at between 35% and 37%
• Melenchon, the candidate of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, is seen reaching a run-off in all five scenarios polled, with either 18% or 19%
• Le Pen is seen beating Melenchon easily in a run-off
• As Macron’s second and final five-year term comes to an end, the unpopular president leaves behind a hollowed-out political centre and weak economy, creating an opening for hardline parties
• Melenchon has already run three times for president in 2012, 2017 and 2022, but never managed to reach the second round. Le Pen also ran in those same three elections and lost in the second round in 2017 and 2022 to Macron
(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Toby Chopra)
