Now Le Pen’s victory chances depend on disillusioned left-wing voters staying home, holding down the total voting pool enough for her to top 50 percent. With nearly half of French voters opting for anti-establishment candidates in Sunday’s first-round vote, there is a slender possibility it could happen, even if it’s unlikely. And if France’s unemployment remains stranded at 10 percent and economic growth stays disappointing, Le Pen could return stronger than ever in the next elections in 2022. French television networks aired the powerful split-screen drama, contrasting Le Pen’s earthy appeal with Macron’s policy-wonk note taking. He has given Le Pen a 35 percent chance of winning on May 7, despite polling agencies’ analyses that turnout would need to be significantly lower in the second round in order for Le Pen to stand a chance of taking the election.

Source: Washington Post April 26, 2017 18:41 UTC