Macron, Le Pen Set For Run-Off As Bertrand Stalls Around 17%: Poll

The latest hypothetical first round opinion poll for next year's presidential election shows incumbent President Emmanuel Macron and right-wing nationalist National Rally (LR) leader Marine Le Pen in joint-first place, with frontrunner to gain the nomination from the centre-right Les Republicains (LR) - Xavier Bertrand - stalling at 17% support.

• Presidential election poll (1st round): Macron (LREM): 24% (-1), Le Pen (RN): 24%, Bertrand (LR): 17%, Mélenchon (FI): 10%, Hidalgo (PS): 7%, Jadot (EELV):7 %, Dupont Aignan (DLF): 4%. Harris Interactive, 05/07/21. Chgs w/ 30/6/21
• While there remains a significant period of time to the next election (the first round of which is set for May 2022), the incumbent Macron remains the favourite given the seeming likelihood of making the second round. The run-off system makes it extremely tough for Le Pen to win in a second round, with much of the centrist/centre-left/centre-right support coalescing around the one remaining moderate in the contest.