LE PEN AND MELENCHON LEAD PRESIDENTIAL RACE BY WIDE MARGIN

PARIS, NOVEMBER 9 /SRNA/ – Marine Le Pen, figurehead of France's far-right National Rally, and her far-left rival Jean-Luc Melenchon of France Unbowed have consolidated their lead over other candidates in next year's presidential election, the latest polls show.

According to a Toluna Harris Interactive poll, Le Pen would win the most votes in the first round, with 34 to 36 percent.

Melenchon would make it to the runoff with 18 or 19 percent, and Le Pen would win easily.

French President Emmanuel Macron is nearing the end of his second and final term.

Melenchon has run for president three times, in 2012, 2017 and 2022, but has never reached the runoff.

Le Pen also ran in those elections and lost to Macron in the runoff in 2017 and 2022.