French presidential election candidates pose for a picture prior to a debate organised by the French private TV channels BFM TV and CNews on April 4, 2017 in La Plaine-Saint-Denis near Paris.
Lionel Bonaventure | AFP | Getty Images
The first round of the French presidential election due to take place this weekend is seen as a close race, with centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen neck and neck in the polls.
Far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon might be slightly behind in opinion polls, but has also stepped up the plate, after turning in strong performances during televised debates. Meanwhile, center-right Francois Fillon remains in the race despite falling behind in polls after coming under fire on a fake jobs scandal.
Most expect front-runners Macron and Le Pen to make it to the second round of the election on May 7.