PARIS, France: President Emmanuel Macron is comfortably leading 11 other candidates in the French presidential polls, ahead of April 10’s first-round vote.

However, Macron’s main challenger, far-right leader Marine Le Pen, has been gaining strength in recent days.

Both are favorites to reach the runoff on 24th April, which would be a replay of the 2017 election that Macron won.

“Do not believe in polls or commentators who would sound definitive and tell you that the election is already done, that everything is going to be all right. From Brexit to so many elections, what seems unlikely can happen,” Marcon told his supporters.

According to predictions, Le Pen has significantly narrowed the gap with Macron, compared to 2017 when she won just 34 percent of votes compared to Macron’s 66 percent.

This narrowed gap highlights the wisdom of her long-term strategy to soften her rhetoric and image, enabling her to capture both the anti-Macron and far-right votes.

Macron’s campaign was also recently hit by the so-called “McKinsey Affair,” named after an American consulting company hired to advise the French government on its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, and other policies.

The issue has been a boost for Macron’s rivals and dogged him at campaign stops.

Macron officials have said they fear that the public might not vote in large numbers because they think Macron will win, while those angry at his policies are more likely to vote.

Julien Descamps, a 28-year-old member of Macron’s party, said, “Of course I have concerns,” stressing that some people in his circle “do not know what to do,” as quoted by the Associated Press.

“They are not fully convinced by Macron, but if they reject the extremes, they should vote for him,” Descamps said.

Macron called on voters to mobilize against both France’s far-right and far-left, stressing, “Fight their ideas.”

According to pollsters, a low election turnout could have a major impact on the vote, noting the great proportion of undecided voters.

Liza Garnier, 45, who lives in the wealthy suburb of Montmorency, north of Paris, said, “I do not believe in what politicians say anymore. They make a lot of promises, they say candidates’ words, and once in power, we are disappointed. I get the impression that more and more people think it is useless, voting for who? For what?” she told the Associated Press.