French Election: Le Pen Leads at 48% While Protests Over Prices, Fuel and Schools Shake France

French election Polymarket odds now sit against the backdrop of mass protests over the cost of living in France. On Saturday, October 17, authorities counted about 550,000 marchers and organizers about 800,000, while police arrested at least 1,800 people. Anger over living costs, fuel prices and struggling schools has landed on a government already trying to cut spending, and the question for traders is who gains when voters go to the polls in April 2027. 4% chance Macron is out by end of year.https://t.co/Gn2xhyfHpT — Polymarket (@Polymarket) October 18, 2026 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth is On PolymarketWhat Is Behind the Protests Moving the French Election Polymarket Odds? The movement began on September 21, when students in deprived Paris suburbs boycotted classes over unreplaced absent teachers, dilapidated buildings and overcrowded classrooms. It has since spread nationwide and widened into a protest over the cost of living. Authorities attributed the looting and arson on Saturday to masked groups rather than to the wider march. Tension has been fuelled by the policing response. Al Jazeera reported 190 injured high school students and more than 6,100 arrests by early Octobe...