Most Russians want Le Pen as next French president, poll shows

According to a recent poll conducted by Russian state-run sociological agency VTSIOM, half of all Russians are following the events of the current French presidential elections.

Just over half – 57 percent – think that the outcome of the race is important for Russia, while about 30 percent believe that the poll results will not affect their country in any significant way.

Around a quarter – 26 percent – say they support neither of the candidates who have made it into the May 7 runoff.

The head of the VTSIOM center, Valeriy Fedorov, said that the poll results were understandable and expected because National Front (FN) leader Le Pen has repeatedly spoken for the need to end the tension between Russia and the West.

The second round of the French presidential elections will see En Marche party head Macron, who claimed over 24 percent of votes in the first round, face off against right-wing Le Pen, who garnered over 21 percent of votes.

In late March this year, Le Pen visited Moscow and met Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the pair’s discussion, Putin stressed the importance of relations with France and said that despite reserving the right to meet any potential candidate, Moscow has no intention of meddling in the French presidential vote.