Polls suggest that Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party in France, could win the 2027 presidential election regardless of who she faces in the second round, according to analyses from eight months ahead of the vote. Jean-Yves Dormagen, a political scientist and founder of the Cluster 17 institute, notes that the "republican front"—a strategy where centrist and left-wing voters unite to block far-right candidates—has weakened. This is the first time in French history that the RN has been projected to win in opinion polls, according to Dormagen. Current polls do not predict the exact second-round result but show a shift in public sentiment. Far-right parties across Western countries are gaining traction, with voter behavior changing in ways that challenge traditional political dynamics. Studies suggest that the majority of voters no longer automatically reject the RN, a key factor in past elections where the party was blocked. Marine Le Pen is now less disliked by voters than her main rivals, though she still faces considerable opposition. Candidates from the centrist Macronist movement, including Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, are also widely rejected by parts of the electorate. Meanwhile, on the left, many moderate voters might choose not to vote if Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a leftist candidate, were to face Le Pen in the second round. The rise of the RN is partly due to traditional right-wing voters shifting further right, aligning with the party on issues like values, migration, and national identity. This movement has been amplified by media and social networks, though other factors, such as economic concerns, also play a role. Similar patterns are seen in other Western countries, where far-right parties focus on themes of identity and race. In the U.S., for example, Donald Trump's 2016 election was heavily influenced by racial and cultural issues, much like how discussions about Islam and national borders shape politics in France. Experts suggest that for Le Pen to lose, her campaign would need to pivot from focusing on immigration and identity to addressing issues like Europe, war, economic stability, pensions, or government efficiency. This shift could expose divisions among her supporters. However, no credible right-wing rival or candidate capable of uniting parts of the left, center, and traditional right has emerged yet, leaving Le Pen in a strong position.