Politics · France · 16 hrs ago
Mélenchon rises in early polls ahead of France’s presidential election
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, 75, is seeking France’s presidency for the fourth time as leader of the left-wing France Unbowed party.
The party says more than 400,000 people have backed his candidacy, and it points to large gatherings and strong poll results as signs of growing support.
In an Ipsos poll published in mid-September, he received 15.5% in a scenario with Raphaël Glucksmann and Édouard Philippe as candidates.
A separate Cluster17 poll put him at 20% in a scenario where Philippe does not run and Gabriel Attal represents the political centre.
The results vary by who runs, but they have encouraged party leaders to think Mélenchon could reach the presidential runoff.
He has not reached the runoff in his previous campaigns, in 2012, 2017 and 2022.
His campaign is holding a rally in Clermont-Ferrand on Sunday, while party figures say they are not yet preparing for a possible runoff against Marine Le Pen.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon is polling strongly early in the campaign for France’s next presidential election, prompting concern among his political opponents.
An Ipsos poll published in mid-September gave him 15.5% of voting intentions in a scenario with Raphaël Glucksmann and Edouard Philippe as candidates.
A Cluster17 poll put him at 20% in a scenario where Edouard Philippe does not run and Gabriel Attal represents the centre bloc.
Mélenchon’s La France insoumise campaign says it has more than 400,000 supporters for his candidacy and credits its early preparation for the momentum.
Pollster Mathieu Gallard said some left-wing voters were backing the best-placed candidate, while young and working-class voters may enter the campaign later.
- Who
- Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the La France insoumise candidate.
- What
- He is polling strongly early in the campaign for France’s presidential election.
- When
- The article was published on 11 October 2026; the latest cited Ipsos poll was published in mid-September.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- Gallard said some left-wing voters are rallying behind the best-placed candidate, and that young and working-class voters may be drawn to Mélenchon as the campaign advances.
La France insoumise campaign
Mélenchon’s opponents
Poll momentum
La France insoumise campaign
The campaign says strong polling reflects its preparation and gives Mélenchon a chance to reach the runoff.
Mélenchon’s opponents
Opponents are concerned about his momentum, according to a Republican lawmaker quoted in the article.
Campaign strategy
La France insoumise campaign
LFI says it is occupying political space early rather than having to establish itself.
Mélenchon’s opponents
Not stated
A part of the left-wing electorate is moving towards the best-placed candidate, and that is him. That is the logic of strategic voting.
We are very strong, very high, very early.
Mélenchon’s momentum worries a lot of people, or at least everyone who does not want to vote for him.
Our campaign techniques are not the same: before, we had to make our mark; now, we occupy the space. It is less spectacular.
LFI held a rally in Saint-Denis.
Mélenchon’s supporters attended the Lille fair.
LFI supporters attended the Fête de L’Humanité, and Ipsos published a poll giving Mélenchon 15.5% in one candidate scenario.
LFI said it had passed 400,000 supporters for Mélenchon’s candidacy.
franceinfo published its report on Mélenchon’s early polling strength.
- Age
- 75
- Presidential bids
- Fourth campaign; previous attempts were in 2012, 2017 and 2022
- LFI supporters claimed
- More than 400,000 as of 8 October 2026
- Ipsos poll
- 15.5% of voting intentions in one scenario
- Cluster17 poll
- 20% if Edouard Philippe does not run and Gabriel Attal represents the centre bloc
Sources
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