Far-right anti-Europe and anti-immigration politician Marine Le Pen would WIN a French presidential election if it was held today according to new poll

Socialist President Francois Hollande's approval rating falls to record low

UMP politicians such as Nicolas Sarkozy currently face corruption charges



IFOP poll showed Le Pen winning 26% of all votes in first round of election

President Hollande, or his expected successor, would gain just 17%

Marine Le Pen would win the first round of a presidential election if it was held today, a shock poll reveals today.

The anti-Europe and anti-immigration National Front party firebrand would gain more votes than any candidate representing a mainstream party.

It comes as socialist President Francois Hollande's approval rating plunges to a record low, and opposition UMP politicians such as Nicolas Sarkozy face corruption charges.

French far-right leader Marine Le-Pen would win a French election if it was held today according to a shock poll

The IFOP poll showed Le Pen winning 26 percent of all votes in round one of the two-round election.

This compares to 17 per cent for either President Hollande, or for his expected successor a Socialist candidate, Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

Despite his growing problems within the criminal justice system, the poll suggests that Mr Sarkozy would win 25 per cent.

IFOP POLL RESULTS

Marine Le Pen - Front National - 26%

Nicolas Sarkozy - UMP - 25%

Francois Hollande - Socialists - 17% Online poll carried out on July 21 and 22, questioned 947 people on behalf political magazine Marianne



This would mean a head-to-head between Ms Le Pen and Sarkozy in the second round - meaning no chance of a Socialist becoming president again.



Ms Le Pen's revitalised National Front gained 25 per cent of the popular vote in European elections in May, sending shockwaves around the political establishment.



The next presidential election is in 2017, giving Ms Le Pen three years to consolidate her position.



If France's economic policies - as it has been doing since Mr Hollande came to power, then the Socialists could face electoral wipe-out.



Mr Sarkozy was this month was placed under formal investigation on suspicion of influence peddling and other corrupt activities.

He denies any wrongdoing.