Centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron cemented his status as favorite to win the French presidency on Friday as pressure mounted on his conservative rival, Francois Fillon, to pull out because of a deepening financial scandal.
For the first time since the line-up of candidates became clear, an Oxoda poll showed Macron finishing ahead of far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the opening round. That came a day after he promised a blend of fiscal discipline and stimulus to strengthen a feeble economic recovery.
As former investment banker Macron's campaign gained momentum, Fillon's camp was mired in a crisis of confidence after a string of resignations among his close advisers and backers.