Ms Le Pen’s ratings have been buoyed in recent weeks as growing numbers of voters express concern over the cost of living, an issue she has campaigned on doggedly for months. 

In a sign of the pressure on Mr Macron, he was met by a barrage of criticism after refusing to take part in a Tuesday night TV programme alongside other candidates.

“He hasn’t taken part in a single cross-examination,” an unnamed candidate complained to Politico. “The war is a convenient excuse.”

Mr Macron’s aides said he was unable to take part in France 2’s Élysée 2022 programme due to a “scheduling problem”.  

Five other candidates – the centre-Right’s Valérie Pécresse, Socialist Anne Hidalgo, far-Right Éric Zemmour, environmentalist Yannick Jadot and anti-capitalist Philippe Poutou – are taking part. Ms Le Pen has appeared twice on the show in recent weeks. 

Anger over Macron’s absence

Mr Macron’s absence has sparked anger among France 2 journalists, who pointed out in a public letter that he has not appeared once on the public channel since declaring his re-election bid.

He has meanwhile appeared on TF1, a privately-owned rival, four times, while rejecting invitations to appear on a string of other radio stations and TV channels.

Mr Macron has nonetheless been belatedly hitting the campaign trail, warning at a rally of some 30,000 supporters in Paris last weekend that Ms Le Pen could pull off a shock Brexit-style victory. 

He was out mingling with the crowds in Spézet, Brittany, during a low-key campaign stop on Tuesday.

“You can count on me,” he insisted. “You can count on my determination.”