Far-right Le Pen continues to lead the pack, six months until presidential election - France

[Paris Current Affairs] In 18 days, it will be half a year until next spring's French presidential election. According to opinion polls, Marine Le Pen (58), former leader of the far-right opposition party National Union (RN), which has become a source of social dissatisfaction, remains at the top of the list in terms of approval ratings. Meanwhile, two former prime ministers from the centrist ruling party that supports President Macron (48) intend to run, and unification is an urgent task, but progress is slow.

Far-right Le Pen to run for president despite second trial conviction, regains right to vote - France

"If France doesn't make a political break with the past, it will default on its debts." Earlier this month, Le Pen blamed previous governments for worsening the country's finances and said people needed to vote for her in the presidential election to rebuild.

France's budget deficit significantly exceeds European Union (EU) standards. The plan is to improve the balance of payments by 2029, but it will not be easy to achieve. Accumulated debt has also increased under the Macron administration. The situation is tense, and it can be said to be a tailwind for opposition candidates.

Le Pen was found guilty in July in an appeals court for embezzlement of public funds, but her right to run for election was not suspended and her centripetal power was restored. Four opinion polls released in mid-October showed support for him at 32% to 38% in the first round of the presidential election.

Former Prime Minister Atal (37) announced his candidacy in May against former Prime Minister Philippe (55), who is the centrist candidate. As a result, Philippe's approval rating has fallen to between 12% and 18%, widening the gap between him and Le Pen. Mr. Attal is likely to eventually step down, but a decision is not expected to be made until the new year.

In contrast, Jean-Luc Mélenchon (75) of the radical leftist group ``Indomitable France'' has gained popularity among young people by inciting high school student protests, and is catching up with his approval rating of 14 to 19 percent. However, Le Pen remains in the lead, having received a majority of support in a survey of the run-off election between the top two candidates in the first round.

Le Pen is conciliatory toward Russia, and has vowed to ``stop financial aid to Ukraine'' if elected. France is a member of the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Group of Seven (G7), so if President Le Pen were to become president, the impact could be wide-ranging.

In recent years, Europe has seen a noticeable shift to the right due to immigration issues. In Italy, the far-right Meloni government was inaugurated in 2022, and in Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a series of local elections in September of this year. The far-right VOX (VOX) group is expected to make a big jump in Spain's general election in November.