French poll puts far-right pundit Zemmour ahead of Le Pen

Survey suggests Eric Zemmour is now the most popular opponent of President Emmanuel Macron before the 2022 election.

Far-right political pundit Eric Zemmour could reach a second-round runoff vote in France’s 2022 presidential election if he chooses to challenge incumbent leader Emmanuel Macron, according to a new opinion poll.

The Harris Interactive poll, published on Wednesday, is the first since Macron won the presidency in 2017 to upend widely held expectations he will face a repeat knockout contest against far-right leader Marine Le Pen next April.

It showed Zemmour winning 17 percent of voter support, eclipsing Le Pen’s 15 percent, in a potential first round.