France election: Who's who in the race to unseat Macron?

In the run-up to France's presidential election on Sunday, Euronews is publishing a story at 16:00 each day to help you better understand the race for the Elysee.

French voters go to the polls on 10 and 24 April to choose a new president - but who is in the running to unseat Emmanuel Macron?

The most notable newcomer to the race is far-right candidate Eric Zemmour, who threatens to take votes from Marine Le Pen.

Polls point to a Macron victory but the French presidential election is notoriously unpredictable. Macron is the perfect example, having launched a political movement just months before the 2017 election and going on to triumph.

Key issues dominating the campaign so far include work, the cost of living — a debate ignited by the 2018 "gilets jaunes" protests —, the environment, immigration and security, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February.

The incumbent president has been leading in the polls despite launching his campaign at the beginning of March.

Macron announced he was running for president just ahead of the official deadline in a statement published in local newspapers and social media.

The 44-year-old frontrunner has since then risen in the polls amid the war in Ukraine, as he has attempted to engage diplomatically with both Ukraine and Russia during the crisis.

He plans to reduce unemployment levels, limit access to some unemployment benefits, and also raise the retirement age to 65. He also said he wants to focus on education and health, including a focus on preventive care.

Macron's programme has been criticised by the mainstream right-wing party as copying some of their own measures, including his decision to increase the retirement age.

Among other measures in his programme include