French presidential election: Melenchon gains momentum

As reported by Reuters, a Kantar Sofres poll for media organizations Le Figaro, LCI and RTL saw Macron and Le Pen head-to-head at 24% in the first round, with Melenchon coming in 3rd position at 18%, up six points since mid-March.

As Reuters expands, while the pattern has been centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen on the lead ahead of the first round of voting on April 23 and May 7 runoff, "recent polls have shown the race tightening as the front-runners faltered and far-left maverick Melenchon surged after strong performances in two televised candidates' debates." The latest poll results, therefore, place Melenchon ahead of conservative candidate Fillon.