FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

A new poll taken between March 2nd and 4th put Marine Le Pen out in front with 26.5 percent, Macron second with 25.5, Fillon at 18.5, and Hamon 14. The survey of 1,822 registrants on the electoral roll over the age of 18 was taken this week and shows that Le Pen's rhetoric is on the money. The fight against unemployment is by far the biggest challenge for any presidential candidate with 55 per cent of those questioned saying it's a major issue.

GETTY Marine Le Pen is talking tough on terrorism

The far-right has not been so high (in the polls) for more than 30 years Francois Hollande

That has been closely followed by security and the fight against terrorism which 45 per cent of those polled believe is a driving factor in who will get their vote. Other issues are way behind and Le Pen’s main rival Emmanuel Macron’s concern with climate change is almost laughably dismissed. Former immigration lawyer Le Pen has been forthright with the electorate and is insisting that she will boost security in a nation weary from horrific terror attacks.

GETTY Macron is behind Le Pen in the polls after various gaffes

Unemployment rates have been stagnating in France for two years with 10 per cent of the population out of work and she has pledged to bring jobs. However a major underlying factor is youth unemployment which is sitting at 23.6 per cent and is failing an entire generation. In the IFOP survey poll Marine Le Pen has increased her support once again and is more popular than Mr Macron in three separate age groups under 35, 35 to 49 and 50 to 64.

Mr Macron on the other hand is more popular with pensioners who are unlikely to be affected by unemployment but who are concerned about social security. En Marche! candidate Macron has discussed the issue of climate change regularly on his campaign but it is only of concern to 10 per cent of the population. That marks a significant blow to his campaign especially as he's pledged to work hard to tackle the global response to the threat of climate change via The Paris Agreement or Accord de Paris which was agreed in November last year.

Paris Terror Attack 2015: One year on Sun, November 13, 2016 Terrorists slaughtered 130 people during a series of coordinated terror attacks in Paris on Friday 13th November 2015. The attacks took place at the Bataclan concert hall, Boulevard Voltaire, Belle Equipe bar, rue Fontaine au Roi, Petit Cambodge restaurant, and Le Carillon bar. Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 86 French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo lay a wreath of flowers as they unveil a commemorative plaque next to the