PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron’s lead over rival candidates forward of subsequent month’s election has grown within the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in response to a poll revealed on Saturday by Le Monde newspaper.
The Sopra Steria poll confirmed Macron profitable 30.5% of votes within the first spherical of voting on April 10, up from 26.5% per week earlier.
Macron’s closest challenger within the first spherical was Marine Le Pen, of the far-right Rassemblement National celebration, with 14.5% of votes, in contrast with 15.5% final week.
In the second and last vote, due on April 24, Macron was seen beating Le Pen by 59% to 41%.
Macron has led European efforts in making an attempt to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis. He met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow final month, and has spoken to Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden to attempt to mediate within the crisis.
Russia’s invasion has put Macron’s far-right rivals on the backfoot, forcing the often Russophile Le Pen and Eric Zemmour to justify their previous help for Putin.
Macron formally launched his re-election marketing campaign earlier this week, saying he was there to defend the values of France that “the world’s issues are threatening.”
(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Mike Harrison)
