Ifop Survey Reveals Potential Exodus Among French Muslims
A new poll conducted by the research firm Ifop suggests that a significant portion of France's Muslim population would consider leaving the country if Marine Le Pen is elected president in the April 2027 election. According to the survey, 46 percent of Muslim respondents said they would consider leaving France to settle in another nation under such a scenario.
Of that group, 20 percent stated they would definitely leave the country if Le Pen wins the presidency. The poll was conducted for an unnamed client and surveyed 9,600 respondents, which is described as a large sample size for European polls.
Muslims constitute approximately 10 percent of France's roughly 70 million permanent residents. Based on the poll's figures, this demographic represents about 3.5 million people who might consider emigrating, with nearly 1.5 million certain to do so if Le Pen takes office.
Fears of Discrimination and Social Changes
Beyond potential emigration, the survey highlighted concerns regarding safety and social integration among French Muslims. Eighty percent of Muslim respondents expressed fear that an increase in attacks and discrimination would occur if Le Pen were elected.
The poll also found that 27 percent of Muslim respondents said they would try to hide their religious choices in daily life under a Le Pen administration. Among women who wear the hijab, 18 percent indicated they would consider stopping veiling if Le Pen wins the election.
Broader Political Sentiment and Policy Support
The survey data extended beyond the Muslim demographic to reflect broader political attitudes in France regarding immigration and religious symbols. Fifty-three percent of French people are opposed to Muslim women wearing the veil in public, and 60 percent want a referendum on banning it.
Among Muslims surveyed, 48 percent agreed with the measure to ban the veil in public spaces.
Reaction from Left-Wing Voters
The potential for political unrest was also measured among supporters of Jean-Luc Melenchon. Forty-three percent of Melenchon voters said they would consider leaving France if Le Pen wins, implying that about 5.5 million leftists could consider moving abroad.
Three-quarters of Melenchon voters said they would ignore new laws they consider unjust and join a general strike against the government.