Report: France's far-right candidate gains ground
French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, who represents the far-right National Front party, continues to gain in the polls, according to the Express.
The news outlet cites an Opinionway survey with 26 percent supporting her in the first round compared to 23 percent and 21 percent for rivals Emmanuel Macron and Francois Fillon, respectively.
The two men have reportedly been struggling with controversies — Macron with comments on colonization and Fillon with potentially criminal allegations involving his family.
Despite projections that one of them will still likely beat Le Pen in the final race, some observers have pointed out that pro-nationalistic events including Brexit and the election of U.S. President Donald Trump could help to improve her chances.
According to The Atlantic, "Le Pen envisions a France with closed borders, its own currency, and tough immigration controls; a country that is independent of international bodies like NATO, and one that ultimately puts itself first."
Should she win, Citi has warned that the country could face economic instability, particularly given a possible exit from the European Union, notes CNBC.
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