Headlines
French voters more eager to block hard-left, than far-right, from power, poll shows
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 25, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 25, 2026
Quick Summary
An Elabe survey shows nearly two-thirds of French voters would block LFI in runoffs, versus 45% for RN. The mood shift follows a high-profile killing and renewed calls for a cordon sanitaire.
Poll: French Voters More Likely to Block Far-Left Than Far-Right
PARIS, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Most French voters would seek to block the far-left from power in a two-round vote, according to a poll released on Wednesday that suggests the far-right National Rally (RN) is no longer seen as the country's most toxic party.
Elabe Survey Findings
Polling Details and Political Context
Nearly two-thirds of people polled by Elabe said they would seek to keep the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party from power by voting for a rival party in a two-round vote, compared with just 45% of people who planned to do the same for the RN.
Impact of Activist’s Killing
The poll comes after the recent killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque, 23, allegedly by far-left militants, that shocked the nation and soured the national mood against the LFI. An aide to an LFI lawmaker is one of seven under formal investigation for their alleged role in Deranque's murder.
Suspects Deny Allegations
The suspects deny the allegations, prosecutors said.
RN’s Efforts to Mainstream
The RN, long a byword for racism and antisemitism, has sought to use the threat of far-left violence as part of its efforts to gain greater mainstream credibility. The RN is now France's largest parliamentary party, and widely seen as a credible victor in the 2027 election.
Two-Round Voting Tactics
For years, the RN was kept from power by a broad coalition of rival parties who would band together in second-round votes to make sure the RN didn't win. Since the killing, RN leaders have called on rivals to form a "sanitary cordon" against the LFI. The poll suggests voters are heeding their call.
Calls to Reconfigure the Left
Former centre-left President Francois Hollande has urged his Socialist Party to break with LFI.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro, Editing by Gabriel Stargardter and Toby Chopra)
Key Takeaways
- •Elabe survey indicates nearly two-thirds of voters would vote tactically to block the far-left LFI in two-round contests.
- •Only 45% say they would do the same to prevent the far-right National Rally from winning.
- •The shift follows national outrage over a recent killing, allegedly involving far-left militants, intensifying scrutiny of LFI.
- •RN leaders urge a renewed “cordon sanitaire” targeting LFI; some rivals signal openness to isolating the hard-left.
- •Former President François Hollande has pressed the Socialist Party to distance itself from LFI.
Frequently Asked Questions about French voters more eager to block hard-left, than far-right, from power, poll shows
1What is the main topic?
A new Elabe poll suggests more French voters would tactically block the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) in two-round races than the far-right National Rally (RN).
2Why is this poll significant?
It indicates a shift in perceived political risk, with LFI now seen by many as the greater threat to block, potentially reshaping second-round alliances.
3What recent events influenced public sentiment?
Public mood has been affected by a recent killing that shocked France, prompting renewed calls for a cordon sanitaire around the hard-left.
