In the blink of an eye, France is already into the final days of campaigning; a speed-dating exercise that has got the far right more than ever knocking on the doors of power. Polls suggest that Emmanuel Macron's surprise decision to dissolve parliament just two weeks ago has not sparked a rethink. On the contrary, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella continue to carry the momentum from their record tally at European elections earlier this month.
In fact, a full one-quarter of French voters told an Ipsos poll for the Financial Times that they trust the National Rally more on the economy than Emmanuel Macron's centrists or the left-wing alliance. Other than an unconstitutional pledge to reduce benefits and public services for immigrants, the party that once spooked voters with its now-defunct call to leave the euro still remains fuzzy on how it will pay for all its campaign promises. So why the leap of faith?
Under Macron, unemployment is down and foreign investment is up. But a soaring cost-of-living crisis has stoked genuine fear that middle-class families could slide into poverty. Put the far right's great replacement theory to one side. For these citizens, it feels like a great demotion. Who can best address their genuine concerns?
Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Aline Bottin, Elena Colonna, Rebecca Gnignati and Juliette Brown.
