The rise of FN and the Le Pen paradox

MORE than two-thirds (68%) of French people have a low opinion of Front National leader Marine Le Pen, and 78% do not trust her to govern the country, a survey has found.

The results of the poll may come as a surprise, given the FN’s success in March’s local elections and their strong poll rating ahead of the upcoming European elections.

The survey reveals that, despite her party’s strong ratings in opinion polls leading up to the European ballot, the FN leader “remains one of the least popular politicians in France,” said Le Parisien, which commissioned the study.

Ms Le Pen is regarded as “extremely right-wing” by 77% of those polled, while 71% said they found her “aggressive”, 67% described her as “demagogic” and 60% think she is “racist”.

Meanwhile, 63% say she is “couragous”, 52% think she is “convincing” and 38% believe she has “the stature of a woman of State”. She is described as “friendly” by 31% of people and “visionary” by 27%.

The FN’s plan to take France out of the euro does not convince the majority of French people. Of those surveyed, 79% said they don’t want France to leave the currency, and 81% thought the plan is “not credible”.

Ms Le Pen is not well regarded compared to other politicians. Even President Francois Hollande, despite his own dismal popularity rating, is more highly regarded than the FN President, according to the survey of 1,102 adults conducted by BVA for Le Parisien. She is more popular only than her own father, according to the study.