Marine Le Pen could face Melenchon, French poll shows

Marine Le Pen could face hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon in the run-off of France's presidential election next spring, according to a Harris-Interactive-Toluna poll commissioned by M6 and RTL.

The poll showed Melenchon, the 75-year-old leader of France Unbowed, more likely to reach the second round than centre-right former prime minister Edouard Philippe in several possible first-round scenarios.

Le Pen remained ahead in the survey, with 35 to 38 percent of voting intentions. The poll projected her winning the presidency regardless of her second-round opponent, with 68 percent against Melenchon and 55 percent against Philippe.

Melenchon was polling at 16 to 17 percent, up from 12 percent in April, according to the survey of more than 1,700 French adults. Philippe's support had fallen three points over the past month to 17 percent in a scenario where he was the sole candidate from the centrist bloc.

Philippe had been widely seen as the candidate best placed to reach the run-off and challenge Le Pen in the race to succeed President Emmanuel Macron, who is finishing his second term.