New Poll Shows Le Pen Leading in France's 2027 Presidential Race
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A new opinion poll about France's 2027 presidential election has been published, showing Marine Le Pen still well ahead of her rivals.
Le Pen, the long-time leader of the far-right movement, continues to hold a clear lead over other possible candidates, according to the survey.
Behind her, former prime minister Édouard Philippe remains strong, but David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes, is closing the gap with him.
The poll also highlights what commentators are calling the "Teddy Riner effect." Riner, a celebrated French judo champion, appears to be reshaping opinions on the right and in the centrist camp, even though he is not a politician.
His growing public profile seems to be shifting how voters view other figures competing for support in that part of the political spectrum.
One of the more surprising results concerns Gabriel Attal, another former prime minister, who now ranks behind Natacha Polony, a well-known journalist, in the poll.
This suggests that traditional political experience may not guarantee a strong position with voters, as public figures from outside politics gain attention.
Polls like this one offer a snapshot of current public opinion rather than a firm prediction of the final result. With more than a year remaining before the election, opinions could still change significantly.
Nevertheless, this latest barometer, as such regular surveys are often called in France, gives useful insight into how the political landscape is shaping up ahead of 2027.
Vocabulary5 words
- opinion poll
- a survey that asks people what they think about something
- candidates
- people who want to win an election
- centrist
- someone with political views between left and right
- journalist
- a person who writes news stories
- barometer
- a regular survey that shows changes in opinion over time
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Marine Le Pen 2. His popularity seems to be affecting opinions on the right and center 3. He ranks behind journalist Natacha Polony
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A new _____ about France's 2027 presidential election has been published.
Marine Le Pen is still well ahead of her _____.
Édouard Philippe remains strong, but David Lisnard, the _____ of Cannes, is closing the gap.
Commentators are calling it the "Teddy Riner _____."
Riner is a celebrated French judo _____.
His profile seems to be shifting opinions in the _____ camp.
Gabriel Attal now ranks behind Natacha Polony, a well-known _____.
Polls like this offer a _____ of current public opinion.
This latest _____ gives insight into the political landscape ahead of 2027.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think opinion polls get so much attention before elections?
- Do you think a famous athlete like Teddy Riner could influence political opinions? Why or why not?
- What might explain why a journalist like Natacha Polony ranks ahead of an experienced politician?
- How reliable do you think early polls are, more than a year before an election?
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