According to Francois Asselineau, a former French presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, leader of the right-wing National Rally party, has a better chance of defeating French President Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the country's presidential election than the best-positioned far-left candidate, Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the France Unbowed party, whose likely voters may not vote this time.

"It is without any doubt Marine Le Pen who has the most chances of being at the second round. She managed to remain the number two in all polls, behind President Macron for the last 2 months. Despite or thanks to the candidacy of Eric Zemmour, she now appears much more "middle of the road" than she ever was," Asselineau stated.

The former candidate noted that Le Pen avoided topics like immigration and instead focused her attention on inflation and the energy crisis exacerbated by the events in Ukraine.

Yesterday, Le Pen expressed she was against sanctions imposed on Russia and the import of its raw materials, in addition to the embargo imposed on Russian gas, oil, and coal

Le Pen argued that the sanctions would have dire consequences on not only the French economy but the world economy as a whole.

"I agree with sanctions, including those against [Russian] oligarchs. The only thing I don't want is sanctions against raw materials, which will have dire consequences for the French and the rest of the world," Le Pen told France Info radio network.

"For Jean-Luc Melenchon, who has made a brilliant 'remontada' [comeback], it is less evident. He made a good campaign on traditional hard left themes and on ecological issues, being an excellent speaker, but is now at around 15% of the vote, far behind Marine Le Pen at about 23%," Asselineau said, detailing that all the votes from other left-wing candidates would be needed for a chance at the second round.

This is unlikely, though, because the French left is fragmented among various groups that have disavowed each other. At the same time, Melenchon might be saved by abstention voters, who, according to polls, account for almost 30% of the population in this election cycle.

"The polls are probably right to announce the same 'finale' for the campaign with a duel between Macron and Le Pen, just like in 2017. But still, Melenchon has a chance to be at the second round, if abstentionists wake up and go to vote on the left of the political spectrum," Asselineau said.

The French election candidates also include the Republican Valerie Pecresse, far-right Eric Zemmour, and Communist leader Fabien Roussel along with right-wing Nicolas Dupont-Aignan.