French poll puts far-right National Rally in clear lead at 36% – Europe live

Paris: A new poll by IFOP, published this afternoon, puts the far-right National Rally at 36% for Sunday’s first round of the election in France. It is followed by the left-wing New Popular Front at 29%.

Emmanuel Macron’s allies are at 21%, according to the poll.

With only days to go until the closely-watched election, representatives of three political groups – Gabriel Attal, Jordan Bardella and Olivier Faure – will debate this evening on France 2.

Meanwhile, EU leaders are meeting in Brussels, where the French election is not formally a matter for discussion but could end up having an impact on policymaking over the coming months.

The European Union and Ukraine share common values, namely democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, as well as shared interests in peace, security, stability and prosperity.

Committed to these common values and interests, and in line with European Council Conclusions and the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine of 12 July 2023, the European Union and its Member States will contribute, for the long term and together with partners, to security commitments to Ukraine, which will help Ukraine to defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future.

Slovakia’s president, Peter Pellegrini, said he had a “productive good-neighbourly debate” with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Pellegrini is filling in for Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, at the summit.

The Fico government has raised eyebrows in Europe for its rhetoric opposing military aid to Ukraine, as well as moves critics say undermine the rule of law and media freedom.

“We reflected on the recent joint meeting of our countries’ governments and discussed my plans for a full-fledged visit to Ukraine. I assured my Ukrainian counterpart that Slovakia wishes for a soon and just peace for Ukraine,” Pellegrini said.

I meet in #Brussels with the President of #Ukraine Volodymyr @ZelenskyyUa. We had a productive good-neighbourly debate. We reflected on the recent joint meeting of our countries’ governments and discussed my plans for a full-fledged visit to Ukraine.