by Dramelin 5:00 AM 0 comments

The independent front-runner Emmanuel Macron opened up a 4.5 percentage-point advantage over his closest challenger in France?s presidential election, Francois Fillon, in the most comprehensive monthly poll of voters? sentiment. While Macron, a former investment banker, is looking to demonstrate his economic-policy credentials, he?s also facing attacks from his Le Pen on his perceived weakness on security. In addition to cutting staff within the ranks of government, Macron would cut payments to local government, the newspaper said. Fillon Wednesday called for new partnerships with Russia, tighter fiscal policy and tougher criminal laws for youths. National Front leader Marine Le Pen leads the polling for first round with 26 percent, but all surveys so far have shown that she?ll lose by a significant margin in May?s run-off, whoever she faces.