The election has been one of the most unpredictable in decades and takes place against a backdrop of rising rightwing nationalism, seen most notably in Britain's decision to leave the European Union and Donald Trump's presidential victory in the United States.
An extra element of uncertainty entered the campaign late Thursday when Islamic State claimed responsibility for that left one policeman dead and two others injured after a shooting in the center of Paris. But analysts warned Thursday's shooting could change that.
The four-candidate battle to reach the runoff in France's presidential election is putting pollsters to the test as never before.
Over 50,000 police backed by 7,000 soldiers from the Sentinelle (Sentry) anti-terror operation will be on patrol during the vote.
According to polling, the most important issue for the officers is the fight against terrorism and the security of France.
The two arrested suspects, who were found in Marseille with a cache of weapons and explosives, were being questioned in the southern city on Wednesday where Le Pen is set to appear later at a rally.
If that's the result, the poll shows Melenchon would beat Le Pen 61% to 39% in the second round.
"Immigration must be regulated because we have an economic, social and housing situation that doesn't enable us to welcome as many people who want to come here", Fillon said. For months, they've been expecting a second round runoff that pitted Le Pen against a more mainstream candidate, either the centrist Emmanuel Macron, a former investment banker and economy minister in the Socialist government, or Francois Fillon.
No regrets for Guardiola amid City struggles
Defenders John Stones and Bacary Sagna are hoping to overcome muscle injuries but Ilkay Gundogan (knee) is a long-term absentee. Further forward, Raheem Sterling seems to have fallen out of favour since playing Arsenal in the league earlier this month.
"Europe, we'll change it or leave it", Melenchon said late Thursday on France 2 television, adding that he wants France to be a partner of the European Union and Germany, not a "vassal". He said he believed in an "independent France orientated towards peace".
"Several Europes are possible, it doesn't have to be just their Europe", said Melenchon, a eurosceptic who has pledged to renegotiate treaties with the bloc.
The spread between yields on 10-year German and French bonds widened to more than 75 basis points on 11 April as the jump in Melenchon's poll ratings saw fears rise he would face Le Pen in the final run-off vote.
Since taking the helm in 2011, Ms Le Pen, 48, has sought to rid the party of the anti-Semitic image it acquired under the almost 40-year leadership of her father Jean-Marie Le Pen. The rally is also expected to mark the first time Le Pen will be flanked by her niece, Marion Maréchal Le Pen, who had previously been marginalized in the campaign and is a poster child for the party's identity before Le Pen softened some of the edges.
While analysts have long held that the presidential election would require a second round of voting, predicting which two candidates will emerge for the winner-take-all ballot is becoming increasingly hard. French voters are like fish, like eels - very slippery..
"I don't like any of them, they're all disappointing, said 73-year-old Ghislaine Pincont of Lille".
"I would vote for Frexit, absolutely, absolutely", he told Marketplace. "In any case the attack on the Champs Elysees won't have any impact on my choice".
Comments