Jean-Luc Melenchon, a fiery Communist-backed eurosceptic vowing to return “power to the people” as France’s next President, says he has mellowed after years spent giving the establishment a tongue-lashing. “I’m less of a hothead,” said the bespectacled 65-year-old recently. “I’m becoming a reassuring figure.”

In an election season marked by widespread disillusionment with the political class, the head of ‘La France Insoumise’ (France Unbowed) is now among the top four candidates in the April 23 first round of the two-stage vote.

Strong performace

Observers say strong debate performances showcasing a milder but still quick-witted Mr. Melenchon helped propel him into joint third place with the scandal-hit conservative candidate, Francois Fillon.

Suddenly part of a close-fought four-way affair, they are nipping at the heels of joint frontrunners Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Front (FN) and centrist former Socialist Emmanuel Macron.

The two leaders of the first round will go through to a runoff on May 7. Mr. Melenchon “invented political stand-up. He’s become a showman,” said former Socialist Party colleague Julien Dray. “This style keeps him from being too harsh. He’s in teaching mode, the old professor giving lessons about the world and how to change it.”

Mr. Melenchon also has an Internet edge, boasting more than a million followers on Twitter and his own YouTube channel — a way to circumvent the traditional media, which he accuses of bias. And he has turned heads with simultaneous appearances at campaign rallies using holograms, a technological first for a French presidential campaign and a sign of renewed vigour.