Is Jean-Luc Mélenchon's gamble paying off? Eight months before France's presidential election, the La France Insoumise leader appears increasingly well placed to play a leading role.
According to the latest Toluna-Harris Interactive poll for M6 and RTL, Mélenchon would qualify for the second-round run-off in three of the five scenarios tested.
France elects its president in two rounds, with the top two candidates in the first round going head-to-head in a run-off.
However, in a scenario in which former president François Hollande stands, the poll predicts Mélenchon would finish two percentage points behind Édouard Philippe.
The LFI candidate is currently polling at over 16%, up from 12% in the institute's previous survey in April. The rise puts him within reach of Philippe, who has long been seen as the main contender for second place behind Marine Le Pen and her Rassemblement National (RN).
