Overview
- In an AFP interview on Tuesday, Marine Le Pen said she prefers a second round against a single center‑right or centrist 'central bloc' because she wants a choice election rather than a vote against Jean‑Luc Mélenchon.
- Recent second‑round polls show the Rassemblement National crushing Mélenchon when Jordan Bardella is tested, while potential head‑to‑heads with ex‑prime minister Édouard Philippe are much tighter and sometimes favor him.
- RN will wait for a Paris court of appeal decision on July 7 to name its nominee because judges could confirm Le Pen’s ineligibility or order electronic monitoring.
- Le Pen says she will run if allowed, and she would yield the ticket to Bardella if she is barred or unable to campaign.
- Mélenchon on Thursday argued a 'central bloc' nominee would be easier for Le Pen to defeat, though recent polling points to a closer race against Philippe than against him.