A new poll suggests that one in five French people would consider leaving the country if the far-right leader Marine Le Pen wins next year's presidential election.
An Ifop survey for the left-wing French magazine Marianne, published this week, found that 21 percent of respondents would be prepared to leave France and settle in another country if the Rassemblement National (RN) candidate wins the presidential election in May 2027.
The figure was even higher among certain groups.
Around 46 percent of French Muslims and 44 percent of French Jews said they would consider leaving, as did 43 percent of voters for the hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
Speaking on French news channel CNews this week, Le Pen dismissed their concerns, saying they were wrong to fear her presidency.
"They are wrong," she said. "This is their country, they are French. We only have one country. So, people can disagree with me, but I am someone who has enormous respect for democracy and for all political opinions."
Meanwhile, Le Pen has proposed banning the wearing of the Muslim headscarf in public places if she becomes president. She said the ban would be introduced gradually, starting with universities, sports federations and public buildings.
But she insisted that Muslims had no reason to fear her coming to power. "What is incompatible with the Republic is sharia law. What is incompatible with the Republic is Islamist fundamentalism," she said, adding that Muslims would be able to continue practising their religion.
Meanwhile Le Pen's deputy Jordan Bardella has been embroiled in an antisemitism scandal following the revelation of comments he made in 2013, when the party was still called Front National. Among the party's founders are a convicted Holocaust denier and a former member of the SS.
What would a Le Pen presidency mean for foreigners in France?
While the poll concentrated on French citizens, who are able to vote, Le Pen's policies could also have major consequences for foreign residents, particularly those from outside the European Union.
The RN leader has long advocated barring foreign nationals from certain areas of employment, housing and social benefits - reiterating her long-held idea of 'French preference'.
One measure included in her proposed budget would introduce an additional tax of €1,000 per year for every non-EU worker employed by a company in France.
More broadly, the RN's preference for French nationals could have implications for foreigners hoping to move to France, find employment or access certain benefits.
READ ALSO: What would a Le Pen presidency mean for foreigners in France?
Have you thought about leaving the country if Le Pen were to be elected? Or perhaps the upcoming election has delayed your plans to move to France? Leave your answers in the comments below.