Against all odds, a communist soars in French election polls

[karynnj]

6. This has been a fascinating election to watch, but I wish I knew more of how French elections "work"

I know that there will almost certainly be two elections - one with everyone and the other a run off with the top two. In the US, I know that the polling of the parties unlikely to win overstate their actual vote - because when the actual election happens, many people migrate to the better of the two choices - if they prefer one of the minor ones.

Here, I wonder if the voters for Fillon, the center right candidate, might - even though many say they will not change - might move to Macron, if it looks like there is the threat of Le Pen vs Melenchon. The reason is that they might agree more with the proEU, pro business Macron than either of the others. Likewise, could Hamon's supporters move to either Melenchon or Macron.

It must be strange to be in the position that Fillon and Macron are (and I suspect but have not read Melenchon is), where it is a really really close fight to get into the second round --- where they would be far ahead of Le Pen.