French President Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen are due to face off in a crucial televised debate on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s run-off presidential election.
The televised debate is a mainstay of French election campaigns, with the two top-ranked candidates in the first round facing off in a contest hosted by journalists.
While polls indicate the president has a solid lead ahead of Sunday’s deciding vote, the gap between the incumbent president and his challenger is much narrower than in 2017, when they held a similar duel.
At the time, Macron crushed Le Pen in an episode that left deep scars on the far-right leader. While Le Pen must turn the page on this, Macron will have to defend his record at the Elysee Palace, which should come under scrutiny.
Follow our blow-by-blow coverage of the debate and analysis by POLITICO’s Paris team below.
FRANCE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORAL POLL POLLS
For more survey data from across Europe, visit POLITICS Survey of surveys.
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