Macron confident as far-right rival closes in ahead of vote

By ELAINE GANLEY
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron says he has no fear of losing France’s presidential election despite far-right rival Marine Le Pen narrowing the gap in opinion polls days before the first-round vote. Still, suspense is the watchword in Sunday’s voting. A predicted low turnout could help decide the race. “I have the spirit of conquest rather than the spirit of defeat,” Macron, a centrist, said in an interview with RTL radio on the final day of campaigning Friday. He cautioned, “Nothing is ever a given.” Le Pen has consistently placed second behind Macron in polls. She appeared to close the gap even further according to latest polls, which have given a difference of between 1 and 6 points between the two.