French election could give May a Brexit headache

TOP CONTENDERS Hopefuls Macron and Le Pen VOTES cast on the other side of the English Channel tomorrow will shape Brexit negotiations – and the global fight against ISIS.

France’s presidential elections – coming just weeks before Britain goes to the ballot box – could have as big an impact on our future relationship with Europe as what happens in Westminster.

And, after the latest in a series of devastating terror attacks in Paris on Thursday night, the future French leader, a key ally, will also play a major role in the battle against Islamic State.

The very narrow favourite to be the next occupant of the Elysee Palace is Emmanuel Macron. At 39, the energetic founder of the new En Marche! party would certainly be a breath of fresh air. But the former banker has already shown Theresa May he will be no pushover.

On a visit to London earlier this year, Macron insisted Britain alone would not be able to decide its relations with European neighbours.

“An exit is an exit,” he said after holding talks with the Prime Minister at Downing Street.

Another possible outcome of the most uncertain French election in decades is France following Britain out of the EU – or Frexit.

Two of the top four candidates in the polls, far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her hard-left rival Jean-Luc Melenchon, want out.

It would be a nightmare scenario for the European Union if either of these two political enemies got into power.

Macron is currently on around 23.5% in opinion polls, with Le Pen on 22.5%.

The next two contenders are Melenchon and the man who was favourite for a long time, Francois Fillon – both on 19%.

Unless a single candidate obtains more than 50% in the first polls, there will be a run-off between first and second in two weeks’ time. The lead that favourite Macron has over Le Pen in latest opinion polls IN LE RUNNING Melenchon and Francois Fillon