In France, after an aggressive pre-election debate, rival presidential candidates are making a final push for votes with just two days to go before Sunday's election runoff, the two are back on the campaign trail.

French Elections 2022: Last leg of campaigning concludes

Three days from now, France will decide its new President. For that French President Emmanuel Macron, rival Marine Le Pen faced off in a high-stakes debate. Two leaders clashed bitterly over issues like Russia, the Hijab ban and Europe.

French Presidential debate: Le Pen confirms sticking to banning Hijab in Public

As the polling day inches closer some voters in France find it hard to vote for Emmanuel Macron due to his track record however they do not want far-right leader Le Pen in power as they feel it would put them in danger, watch this report for more.

French Elections: Muslim voters hope to keep Marine Le Pen out of power

Headscarf ban, Russian finance: Macron and Le Pen engage in bitter presidential debate

In France, the race for the presidential election is in its final days of campaigning. Days ahead of the final vote in one of the biggest economies, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is trying to present a more moderate face to the voters.

French Elections: Marine Le Pen pivoting from her usual topics of Islam? Is there a change in tone?

Incumbent Emmanuel Macron's lead over his far-right opponent Marine Le Pen widened in voting intention polls on Tuesday (April 19).

Three polls in the French presidential election placed him at the highest level since before the first round.

When questioned about Macron's lead, Prime Minister Jean Castex told France Inter radio "The game isn't over yet and we certainly can't draw conclusions ... that this election, this match, is already decided."

"We have to convince the French that Emmanuel Macron's programmes are the best for France and for them," he added.

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Meanwhile, Castex's predecessor as prime minister, Edouard Philippe, said "Right now, either candidate could win."&nbsp;

Macron, who is a liberal party La Republique en Marche (LREM) candidate seeking re-election, has increased his lead in an Ipsos poll by 3.5 points from last Friday.

Similarly, an Ifop and an Opinionway poll showed that 55 per cent of French people will choose him as their future leader once again.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/french-presidential-debate-turning-points-in-political-history-471617">French presidential debate: Turning points in political history</a>

His average of five polls on April 8, two days before the first-round vote in which he qualified for the second round, was only 52.7 per cent.

In response, Le Pen said, "For me, failure is sometimes a kick in the backside."

French political analysts believe that undecided voters and abstentions can still swing the polling figures.

In 2017, Macron had defeated Le Pen by acquiring 66.1 per cent of the votes.&nbsp;

French newspaper Le Monde reported, "she has spent five years trying to bury that disastrous (2017) televised duel, by sprucing up her image, party and ideological tenets."&nbsp;

In their only direct clash ahead of Sunday's second round of voting, Le Pen will go head-to-head against Macron on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Incumbent Emmanuel Macron's lead over his far-right opponent Marine Le Pen widened in voting intention polls on Tuesday (April 19). Three polls in the French presidential election placed him at the highest level since before the first round.

Incumbent Emmanuel Macron's lead over his far-right opponent Marine Le Pen widened in voting intention polls on Tuesday (April 19). Three polls in the French presidential election placed him at the highest level since before the first round. When questioned about Macron's lead, Prime Minister Jean Castex told France Inter radio "The game isn't over yet and we certainly can't draw conclusions ... that this election, this match, is already decided." "We have to convince the French that Emmanuel Macron's programmes are the best for France and for them," he added. Meanwhile, Castex's predecessor as prime minister, Edouard Philippe, said "Right now, either candidate could win." Macron, who is a liberal party La Republique en Marche (LREM) candidate seeking re-election, has increased his lead in an Ipsos poll by 3.5 points from last Friday. Similarly, an Ifop and an Opinionway poll showed that 55 per cent of French people will choose him as their future leader once again. Also see | French presidential debate: Turning points in political history His average of five polls on April 8, two days before the first-round vote in which he qualified for the second round, was only 52.7 per cent. In response, Le Pen said, "For me, failure is sometimes a kick in the backside." French political analysts believe that undecided voters and abstentions can still swing the polling figures. In 2017, Macron had defeated Le Pen by acquiring 66.1 per cent of the votes. French newspaper Le Monde reported, "she has spent five years trying to bury that disastrous (2017) televised duel, by sprucing up her image, party and ideological tenets." In their only direct clash ahead of Sunday's second round of voting, Le Pen will go head-to-head against Macron on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

French presidential election: Macron's lead over Le Pen widens in polls

As the campaigning in France enters its final days, far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen seems to be trying to soften her image.

In a recent development, an ally of Le Pen has announced that the planned hijab ban that the presidential candidate had promised as one of the political tools to fight “Islamism” would come “little by little”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/neither-macron-nor-le-pen-france-erupts-in-protests-against-top-presidential-candidates-ahead-of-elections-471600">Neither Macron, nor Le Pen: France erupts in protests against top presidential candidates ahead of elections</a>

This marks a shift in her campaign tone, less than a week before the voting takes place.

Le Pen has previously stated that the hijab is not a symbol of a person's religious beliefs, but rather an "Islamist uniform" that should be prohibited from public spaces in France.

However, the prohibition of the hijab, according to French lawyers, would be a violation of the French constitution.

In a country that has suffered a succession of fatal extremist attacks, issues related to France's Muslim population, which is one of Europe's largest, have become a contentious issue.

Louis Aliot, former partner of Le Pen, and the mayor of Perpignan told France Inter radio that the hijab ban needed to be implemented gradually.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: France Elections: Marine Le Pen accused of embezzlement

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In his opinion, the ban should begin with state-run services and then be gradually expanded.

Echoing Le Pen's words, he said&nbsp;"there will be a debate in parliament and then the choice will be made."

On Monday, another Le Pen supporter, David Rachline, mayor of the Mediterranean town of Frejus, also appeared to modify his stance. "We don't want to attack people," he stated, adding that "all those women wearing a hijab are not Islamists."

Le Pen has tried to soften her image in recent years, however, she has not abandoned her far-right objectives.

"People who are present on our territory, who respect our laws, who respect our values, who have sometimes worked in France, have nothing to fear from the policy I want to pursue," Le Pen said on France Bleue radio.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-elections-le-pen-says-victory-has-never-been-this-near-urges-france-to-defeat-the-elitist-bloc-471096">French elections: Le Pen says 'victory has never been so near', urges France to defeat the 'elitist bloc'</a>

An encounter on Friday left Le Pen looking sheepish. As she faced the cameras, a hijab-clad woman approached her, asking her to "leave the Muslims alone", adding "We are French, we love this country".

The next day, Le Pen admitted that the problem was complicated. However, she said that parliament would have a role in the choice and that any unwanted legislation could be repealed.

(With inputs from agencies)

As the campaigning in France enters its final days, far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen seems to be trying to soften her image. In a recent development, an ally of Le Pen has announced that the planned hijab ban that the presidential candidate had promised as one of the political tools to fight “Islamism” would come “little by little”.

As the campaigning in France enters its final days, far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen seems to be trying to soften her image. In a recent development, an ally of Le Pen has announced that the planned hijab ban that the presidential candidate had promised as one of the political tools to fight “Islamism” would come “little by little”. Also read | Neither Macron, nor Le Pen: France erupts in protests against top presidential candidates ahead of elections This marks a shift in her campaign tone, less than a week before the voting takes place. Le Pen has previously stated that the hijab is not a symbol of a person's religious beliefs, but rather an "Islamist uniform" that should be prohibited from public spaces in France. However, the prohibition of the hijab, according to French lawyers, would be a violation of the French constitution. In a country that has suffered a succession of fatal extremist attacks, issues related to France's Muslim population, which is one of Europe's largest, have become a contentious issue. Louis Aliot, former partner of Le Pen, and the mayor of Perpignan told France Inter radio that the hijab ban needed to be implemented gradually. Watch | Gravitas: France Elections: Marine Le Pen accused of embezzlement In his opinion, the ban should begin with state-run services and then be gradually expanded. Echoing Le Pen's words, he said "there will be a debate in parliament and then the choice will be made." On Monday, another Le Pen supporter, David Rachline, mayor of the Mediterranean town of Frejus, also appeared to modify his stance. "We don't want to attack people," he stated, adding that "all those women wearing a hijab are not Islamists." Le Pen has tried to soften her image in recent years, however, she has not abandoned her far-right objectives. "People who are present on our territory, who respect our laws, who respect our values, who have sometimes worked in France, have nothing to fear from the policy I want to pursue," Le Pen said on France Bleue radio. Also read | French elections: Le Pen says 'victory has never been so near', urges France to defeat the 'elitist bloc' An encounter on Friday left Le Pen looking sheepish. As she faced the cameras, a hijab-clad woman approached her, asking her to "leave the Muslims alone", adding "We are French, we love this country". The next day, Le Pen admitted that the problem was complicated. However, she said that parliament would have a role in the choice and that any unwanted legislation could be repealed. (With inputs from agencies)

France elections 2022: Le Pen, allies try to appease voters by softening stance on hijab ban

After a brief easter pause in campaigning, the two final contenders in the French presidential race will return to the ground today. Ahead of the high-stakes televised debate president Emmanuel Macron and also the far-right challenger Marine Le Pen both have have scheduled low-key meetings for today.

Macron vs Marine Le Pen: Rivals group gear for final campaigning | French Presidential Elections

In less than a week to go for the second phase of the French polls and the race at the Elysee Palace is now heating up with both the candidates centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right Marine Le Pen pulling all stops now to ensure they come on top.

EU anti-fraud body accuses far-right candidate Marine Le Pen of embezzlement

The European Parliament said Sunday it will try to recover money owed by Marine Le Pen over fraud allegations as the far-right leader prepares to face President Emmanuel Macron in France's unpredictably close election run-off.

French news platform Mediapart revealed that a report by the EU's&nbsp;anti-fraud&nbsp;body OLAF accused Le Pen and three other former MEPs -- including her father Jean-Marie -- of misusing European Parliament funds.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/neither-macron-nor-le-pen-france-erupts-in-protests-against-top-presidential-candidates-ahead-of-elections-471600">Neither Macron, nor Le Pen: France erupts in protests against top presidential candidates ahead of elections</a>

The report also alleged that Le Pen personally misappropriated around 137,000 euros ($148,000) of public money from the Strasbourg-based parliament during her time as an MEP between 2004 and 2017.

A source said the European Parliament had referred the case to OLAF after uncovering some of the alleged irregularities.

Watch |&nbsp;Report: Marine Le Pen and others embezzled over $640,000 | French Presidential Elections

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"In total, we're talking about 617,000 euros wrongfully paid. We will now proceed with recovery (of the money) from the interested parties in the coming weeks," the source added.

OLAF's investigation has been open since 2016 and Le Pen was questioned by post in March 2021, her lawyer Rodolphe Bosselut told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-can-win-this-election-says-frances-le-pen-471338">I can win this election, says France's Le Pen</a>

Le Pen has faced another investigation since 2017 over suspicions of employing fictional party assistants in the European Parliament.

The impending action against the National Rally leader comes as polls give her a strong chance of beating Macron in the second round of France's presidential election on April 24.

The European Parliament said Sunday it will try to recover money owed by Marine Le Pen over fraud allegations as the far-right leader prepares to face President Emmanuel Macron in France's unpredictably close election run-off.

The European Parliament said Sunday it will try to recover money owed by Marine Le Pen over fraud allegations as the far-right leader prepares to face President Emmanuel Macron in France's unpredictably close election run-off. French news platform Mediapart revealed that a report by the EU's anti-fraud body OLAF accused Le Pen and three other former MEPs -- including her father Jean-Marie -- of misusing European Parliament funds. Also read | Neither Macron, nor Le Pen: France erupts in protests against top presidential candidates ahead of elections The report also alleged that Le Pen personally misappropriated around 137,000 euros ($148,000) of public money from the Strasbourg-based parliament during her time as an MEP between 2004 and 2017. A source said the European Parliament had referred the case to OLAF after uncovering some of the alleged irregularities. Watch | Report: Marine Le Pen and others embezzled over $640,000 | French Presidential Elections "In total, we're talking about 617,000 euros wrongfully paid. We will now proceed with recovery (of the money) from the interested parties in the coming weeks," the source added. OLAF's investigation has been open since 2016 and Le Pen was questioned by post in March 2021, her lawyer Rodolphe Bosselut told AFP. Also read | I can win this election, says France's Le Pen Le Pen has faced another investigation since 2017 over suspicions of employing fictional party assistants in the European Parliament. The impending action against the National Rally leader comes as polls give her a strong chance of beating Macron in the second round of France's presidential election on April 24.

European Union to recover funds from French election candidate Marine Le Pen

In less than a week to go for the second phase of the French polls and the race to the Elysee palace is now heating up. With both the candidates centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right Marine Le Pen pulling all the stops to ensure they come out on top. However, the far-right candidate is under the scanner, watch this report for more.

Report: Marine Le Pen and others embezzled over $640,000 | French Presidential Elections

As second round of French elections inches closer, thousands of anti-far right demonstrators marched across the country. As opponents of the presidential candidate Marine Le Pen with the goal of preventing her from winning elections against the incumbent Macron.

French Elections: Anti-far right protests across France, Le Pen calls demonstrations anti-democratic

French presidential debate: Turning points in political history

With just 9 days to go for the final face-off in France, both Emmanuel macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen have hit the campaign trail hard this time.

French Elections: Macron, Le Pen on fierce campaign trail

The presidential elections in France seem to be getting tighter day by day. Who will win? French President Emmanuel Macron will get a second term or French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen will get the top job. This seems to be on everybody’s mind in France nowadays. &nbsp;

But along with that the statements made recently by Le Pen over Ukraine, the EU and the NATO seem to have also garnered huge attention. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In another recent development, the presidential candidate has also pledged to ban ritual slaughter of animals if voted to power, said reports. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-send-weapons-to-ukraine-look-for-rapprochement-between-nato-russia-after-war-says-frances-le-pen-470834" hreflang="en">Don’t send weapons to Ukraine, look for rapprochement between NATO, Russia after war, says France's Le Pen</a>

She seems to be looking to end the suffering of animals and wants animals to be stunned first. &nbsp;

Several communities, including Muslims and Jews, are concerned with the announcement as they eat meat of animals, which aren't stunned before slaughter for religious reasons. &nbsp;

According to the critics, it seems to be a discriminatory ploy to win votes. It is also hypocritical as she is not opposed to hunting or bull-fighting, said an AP report. &nbsp;

Watch | French Elections: Macron, Le Pen on fierce campaign trail

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If enacted, some Jews say they would think about leaving France while Muslims say they may revert to illegally slaughtering them in bathroom, the report said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Giving another option to the minorities, Le Pen has said that the meats could also be imported. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This week, the presidential candidate had also said, "I'm not at all going to get rid of halal and kosher butcher shops." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The presidential elections in France seem to be getting tighter day by day. Who will win? French President Emmanuel Macron will get a second term or French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen will get the top job.

The presidential elections in France seem to be getting tighter day by day. Who will win? French President Emmanuel Macron will get a second term or French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen will get the top job. This seems to be on everybody’s mind in France nowadays. But along with that the statements made recently by Le Pen over Ukraine, the EU and the NATO seem to have also garnered huge attention. In another recent development, the presidential candidate has also pledged to ban ritual slaughter of animals if voted to power, said reports. Also Read: Don’t send weapons to Ukraine, look for rapprochement between NATO, Russia after war, says France's Le Pen She seems to be looking to end the suffering of animals and wants animals to be stunned first. Several communities, including Muslims and Jews, are concerned with the announcement as they eat meat of animals, which aren't stunned before slaughter for religious reasons. According to the critics, it seems to be a discriminatory ploy to win votes. It is also hypocritical as she is not opposed to hunting or bull-fighting, said an AP report. Watch | French Elections: Macron, Le Pen on fierce campaign trail × If enacted, some Jews say they would think about leaving France while Muslims say they may revert to illegally slaughtering them in bathroom, the report said. Giving another option to the minorities, Le Pen has said that the meats could also be imported. This week, the presidential candidate had also said, "I'm not at all going to get rid of halal and kosher butcher shops." (With inputs from agencies)

French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen's pledge to ban ritual slaughter of animals irks Muslims, Jews

The election race in France is quickly gaining steam, with the top two contenders incumbent President Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen giving each other tough competition.

Le Pen on Thursday held a major rally in the southern city of Avignon, addressing around 4,000 supporters, she said that "victory has never been so near."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-presidential-election-le-pen-accuses-macron-of-manoeuvring-to-seduce-left-wing-voters-470506">French presidential election: Le Pen accuses Macron of 'manoeuvring' to seduce left-wing voters</a>

Taking aim at her contender Macron, she said that he was "not the man of a new era but the last avatar of a system that has run its course", adding that in her opinion, it is time to put an end to a system that “has run out of breath."

Centrist leader Macron and Le Pen finished first and second respectively in the first phase of elections on April 10th. Third in the race was hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon. They now face a run-off vote on April 24th.

Before that, on April 20, the two will meet for a live debate, which will be carried live on French television, a critical event in the campaign's last phase.

Seeking to reach out to the left-wing voters, Le Pen during her Thursday rally urged France to defeat elitism and oligarchy in the elections geared to take place this month.

Watch |&nbsp;French Election 2022: Marine Le Pen's agenda sends shockwaves through Europe

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Her comments come after the incumbent President received public support for his predecessor Francois Hollande. A socialist, Hollande urged people to back Macron in round two, alleging that Le Pen "was putting our principles into doubt".

Speaking to TF1 Television, he explained that he wants the French to vote for the incumbent "for the sake of the cohesion of France" and its "European future".

Macron also has the backing of right-wing former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-elections-macron-faces-le-pen-in-presidential-runoff-470082">French elections: Macron faces Le Pen in presidential runoff</a>

Calling the 24 April run-off a showdown between the people and oligarchy Le Pen added “the popular bloc will come face-to-face with the elitist bloc."

As per the phase 1 results, Macron has a slight lead over Le Pen. However, as per an AFP report,&nbsp;an Opinonway poll released on Wednesday showed that&nbsp;Macron has 53 per cent support while Le Pen has 47 per cent.

But even such a margin is too close for comfort for Macron supporters, who won nearly 66 per cent of the vote against Le Pen in the 2017 run-off election.

(With inputs from agencies)

The election race in France is quickly gaining steam, with the top two contenders incumbent President Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen giving each other tough competition.

The election race in France is quickly gaining steam, with the top two contenders incumbent President Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen giving each other tough competition. Le Pen on Thursday held a major rally in the southern city of Avignon, addressing around 4,000 supporters, she said that "victory has never been so near." Also read | French presidential election: Le Pen accuses Macron of 'manoeuvring' to seduce left-wing voters Taking aim at her contender Macron, she said that he was "not the man of a new era but the last avatar of a system that has run its course", adding that in her opinion, it is time to put an end to a system that “has run out of breath." Centrist leader Macron and Le Pen finished first and second respectively in the first phase of elections on April 10th. Third in the race was hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon. They now face a run-off vote on April 24th. Before that, on April 20, the two will meet for a live debate, which will be carried live on French television, a critical event in the campaign's last phase. Seeking to reach out to the left-wing voters, Le Pen during her Thursday rally urged France to defeat elitism and oligarchy in the elections geared to take place this month. Watch | French Election 2022: Marine Le Pen's agenda sends shockwaves through Europe Her comments come after the incumbent President received public support for his predecessor Francois Hollande. A socialist, Hollande urged people to back Macron in round two, alleging that Le Pen "was putting our principles into doubt". Speaking to TF1 Television, he explained that he wants the French to vote for the incumbent "for the sake of the cohesion of France" and its "European future". Macron also has the backing of right-wing former president Nicolas Sarkozy. Also read | French elections: Macron faces Le Pen in presidential runoff Calling the 24 April run-off a showdown between the people and oligarchy Le Pen added “the popular bloc will come face-to-face with the elitist bloc." As per the phase 1 results, Macron has a slight lead over Le Pen. However, as per an AFP report, an Opinonway poll released on Wednesday showed that Macron has 53 per cent support while Le Pen has 47 per cent. But even such a margin is too close for comfort for Macron supporters, who won nearly 66 per cent of the vote against Le Pen in the 2017 run-off election. (With inputs from agencies)

French elections: Le Pen says 'victory has never been so near', urges France to defeat the 'elitist bloc'

It is the final round of presidential battle in the France and war of words between the top two contenders is intensifying by the day. As Macron tries to gather more support by softening its domestic policies, the far-right challenger Marine Le Pen has proposed to change France's foreign policy.

French Elections 2022: Marine Le Pen wants France out of NATO

The presidential challenger Marine Le Pen pitches her foreign policy agenda. While Le Pen wants closer NATO-Russia ties, her agenda sent shockwaves across Europe.

French Election 2022: Marine Le Pen's agenda sends shockwaves through Europe

It is election season in France and with the round one of voting one thing is clear that France is polarized like never before. Now one side is centrist Emmanuel Macron the other far-right Marine Le Pen.

French Presidential Elections: Emmanuel Macron, far-right rival Marine Le Pen head for a knockout

France's presidential fight is heating up incumbent president Emmanuel Macron will go head-to-head with Marine Le Pen on the 24th of April in their bid to woo voters. For the second round of the election both Macron and Marine Le Pen have sharpened their on ground campaign.

French Presidential Elections: Macron facing a tougher-than-expected-fight from Marine Le Pen

Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has accused incumbent Emmanuel Macron's offer to soften pension reform as a ''manoeuvre'' to seduce left-wing voters.

Addressing her supporters, Le Pen said "There is nothing to expect here from Emmanuel Macron. He will go all the way to the end with obsession, because it's a reality that the minimum (retirement) age of 65 is his obsession."

"It's a manoeuvre by Macron to try to win over, or at least to mitigate the opposition of the left-leaning voters," she added.

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It comes after Macron said, "I am ready to change the timeline and say we don't necessarily have to do a reform by 2030 if I feel that people are too anxious."

Defending Macron, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said "We will stick to (the minimum age of) 65, but there will be options for discussing details."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin called Macron ''pragmatic'' and said, "It's called listening to people."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-sets-out-to-build-a-dam-against-le-pen-can-it-hold-470468" hreflang="en">Macron sets out to build a 'Dam' against Le Pen. Can it hold?</a>

Endorsing Macron former president Nicolas Sarkozy said, "We must abandon our partisan habits... Fidelity to right-wing republican values and our governing culture must lead us to answer Emmanuel Macron's call for unity."&nbsp;

Disagreeing with both Macron and Le Pen, Manuel Bompard, the head of the campaign of far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon said "I tell Macron this: If he really wants to appeal to our voters ... he has to make a clear commitment."&nbsp;

Socialist Bertrand Delanoe, former mayor of Paris, said "I don't idolise Emmanuel Macron."

"Le Pen thinks quietly what Eric Zemmour says out loud," Delanoe said. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has accused incumbent Emmanuel Macron's offer to soften pension reform as a ''manoeuvre'' to seduce left-wing voters. Addressing her supporters, Le Pen said "There is nothing to expect here from Emmanuel Macron.

Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has accused incumbent Emmanuel Macron's offer to soften pension reform as a ''manoeuvre'' to seduce left-wing voters. Addressing her supporters, Le Pen said "There is nothing to expect here from Emmanuel Macron. He will go all the way to the end with obsession, because it's a reality that the minimum (retirement) age of 65 is his obsession." "It's a manoeuvre by Macron to try to win over, or at least to mitigate the opposition of the left-leaning voters," she added. It comes after Macron said, "I am ready to change the timeline and say we don't necessarily have to do a reform by 2030 if I feel that people are too anxious." Defending Macron, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said "We will stick to (the minimum age of) 65, but there will be options for discussing details." Meanwhile, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin called Macron ''pragmatic'' and said, "It's called listening to people." Also read | Macron sets out to build a 'Dam' against Le Pen. Can it hold? Endorsing Macron former president Nicolas Sarkozy said, "We must abandon our partisan habits... Fidelity to right-wing republican values and our governing culture must lead us to answer Emmanuel Macron's call for unity." Disagreeing with both Macron and Le Pen, Manuel Bompard, the head of the campaign of far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon said "I tell Macron this: If he really wants to appeal to our voters ... he has to make a clear commitment." Socialist Bertrand Delanoe, former mayor of Paris, said "I don't idolise Emmanuel Macron." "Le Pen thinks quietly what Eric Zemmour says out loud," Delanoe said. (With inputs from agencies)

French presidential election: Le Pen accuses Macron of 'manoeuvring' to seduce left-wing voters

A day after Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, emerged as his challenger for the final round of France’s presidential election in less than two weeks, President Emmanuel Macron immediately set about Monday to build the “dam.”

Dams are the mainstream French voters who, time and again, have put political differences aside in the second round and voted for anyone but a Le Pen in a so-called “Republican front” to deny the far right the presidency.

But after Sunday’s first round, when 32% of French voters supported candidates on the extreme right — a record — the dam may be more precarious than ever.

Macron, widely criticized for a listless campaign, moved quickly Monday to shore it up, directly challenging Le Pen and her party, the National Rally, in the economically depressed north where she dominated Sunday.

In Denain, a city won by Le Pen, Macron spoke of the worries of the youth in Denain and other social issues. He tried to remind voters of the extremist roots of Le Pen’s party, referring to it by its old name, the National Front.

At a campaign stop of her own in a rural area, Yonne, Le Pen said that the dam was a dishonest strategy to win an election, adding that “it’s a way to save yourself when you don’t deserve it.’’

In a triumphant speech against the majestic backdrop of the Louvre Museum five years ago, Macron had launched his presidency by pledging to unite the French so that there would be “no reason at all to vote for the extremes.’’

But in addition to Le Pen’s second-place finish, with 23% of the vote, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leftist veteran, won 22% of Sunday’s votes to finish a strong third.

Mélenchon’s supporters — split in their attitudes toward Macron and Le Pen — could now help determine the election’s final outcome April 24.

After five years of Macron, who trounced Le Pen in the 2017 runoff, the far-right leader emerged stronger than ever. She has softened her image in a successful process of “undemonizing’’ and focused relentlessly on ordinary voters’ economic hardship.

In Yonne, Le Pen hammered away at the themes that carried her through to the second round. Meeting with a cereal farmer, she spoke of how rising prices of fuel and fertilizers following the war in Ukraine would raise the cost of staples at supermarkets and hurt the most vulnerable.

The far right’s record performance Sunday resulted from a combination of factors, including Le Pen’s own efforts to revamp her image, a successful cultural battle waged by conservative forces in recent years and a series of Islamic militant attacks in France since 2015.

But critics say that it also reflected Macron’s continued strategy of triangulating France’s electoral landscape. While Macron was regarded as a center-left candidate five years ago, he shifted rightward during his presidency, sensing that his main challenge would come from Le Pen.

That shift was embodied by a series of laws toughening France’s stance on immigration, empowering the police and combating Islamic militant extremism. Many working French also felt that his economic policies unfairly favored the rich and have left them more adrift.

If Macron’s intention was to defuse Le Pen’s appeal by stripping her of her core issues, critics say the approach backfired by ushering the talking points of the far right deeper into the mainstream political debate.

Then, Le Pen also shifted her message to pocketbook issues that have now resonated even more broadly as energy prices spike because of the war in Ukraine.

Sacha Houlié, a lawmaker and a spokesperson for Macron’s campaign, said that the president was aiming to strengthen the dam strategy. He acknowledged that there have been “some mistakes” and “blunders,” noting that some government ministers had picked up themes and expressions promoted by the far right.

But Houlié denied that Macron had normalized far-right ideas, saying his government had mainly tried to respond to people’s growing concerns on crime and immigration.

“We cannot sweep the dust under the carpet,” he said, referring to the issues.

But many, especially Mélenchon’s supporters of the left, feel so betrayed that Macron may have a harder time in this next election persuading them to join his call for unity by building a dam against Le Pen, whom the president has called a danger to democracy.

Alexis Lévrier, a historian who has written about Macron’s relations with the news media, said that as Macron tried to reshape French politics around a strict divide between his mainstream movement and Le Pen, he “contributed to the rise in power of the far right.”

Unwittingly, “he’s a pyromaniac firefighter,” Lévrier said.

A resident of Guyancourt — a well-off, left-leaning city southwest of Paris where Mélenchon came in first Sunday — Stéphanie Noury said that, in 2017, she gave Macron her vote as part of a dam against the far right. But this time, she planned to stay home for the final round.

“Macron played into the hands of the extreme right,’’ said Noury, 55, a human resources manager who voted Sunday for Mélenchon. “He told himself that he would always win against the extreme right.’’

Compared to 2017, Le Pen’s share of the first-round vote went up by a couple of percentage points despite the direct challenge of a new rival, far-right TV pundit Éric Zemmour, who urged his supporters to vote for Le Pen in the upcoming showdown.

On Sunday, Le Pen, Zemmour and a third far-right candidate, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, together got 32% of the vote. In 2017, Le Pen and Dupont-Aignan collected 26% in the first round.

Voters first formed a dam against the extreme right in 2002 when Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, shocked the political establishment by making it into a runoff against Jacques Chirac. Another dam helped defeat Marine Le Pen in 2017.

To gain credibility on the right, in 2019, Macron gave his first long interview on the sensitive issues of immigration and Islam to Valeurs Actuelles, a magazine that straddles the right and far right.

“By talking to us, Emmanuel Macron came to seek some legitimacy on these subjects, from right-wing people who felt he was doing nothing,” said Geoffroy Lejeune, the publication’s editor. “He knows that by doing this, he’s sending a big signal.”

Aurélien Taché, a lawmaker once allied with Macron, said the president was elected in 2017 thanks to voters who put aside their political differences and united against Le Pen.

He said Macron should have taken those votes — mainly from the left — into account in his policies afterward.

“He did not consider them,” he said, adding that Macron instead worked to “set up this cleavage’’ between him and Le Pen, leading to a “high-risk rematch.”

“There have been, on a whole range of topics, very strong concessions made to the far right,” Taché said, also citing tougher immigration rules and the application of a stricter version of French secularism, called laïcité.

But Taché, who quit Macron’s party in 2020 over the president’s shift to the right, was especially critical of the government’s landmark law against separatism, which has been criticized inside and outside France, including by the U.S. envoy on international religious freedom.

The law amounted to “making Islam and Muslims invisible,” Taché said.

Some academics, political opponents and Muslim organizations have also criticized the law as discriminating against French Muslims by leading to the widespread closing of mosques, Muslim associations and schools.

That resentment may now also complicate Macron’s dam-building effort.

To be reelected, for instance, he will have to persuade voters in places likes Trappes, a working-class city with a large Muslim population southwest of Paris, to join the dam against Le Pen.

A longtime stronghold of Mélenchon supporters, Trappes strongly backed Macron in the 2017 runoff. But comments by voters Sunday suggested that the dam might not be as effective this time.

Frédéric Renan, 47, a computer programmer, said he would abstain or cast a blank vote in a showdown between Macron and Le Pen.

“Macron opened the door to the extreme right,’’ Renan said, adding that the president’s economic policies hurt the poor and fueled the rise of the far right.

“I don’t see how voting for Macron is a vote in a dam against the extreme right,” he said. “Some people will say that not participating in the dam against the extreme right is irresponsible, that the threat of the extreme right is greater than what Emmanuel Macron proposes, but I’m not convinced.’’

A day after Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, emerged as his challenger for the final round of France’s presidential election in less than two weeks, President Emmanuel Macron immediately set about Monday to build the “dam.

A day after Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, emerged as his challenger for the final round of France’s presidential election in less than two weeks, President Emmanuel Macron immediately set about Monday to build the “dam.” Dams are the mainstream French voters who, time and again, have put political differences aside in the second round and voted for anyone but a Le Pen in a so-called “Republican front” to deny the far right the presidency. But after Sunday’s first round, when 32% of French voters supported candidates on the extreme right — a record — the dam may be more precarious than ever. Macron, widely criticized for a listless campaign, moved quickly Monday to shore it up, directly challenging Le Pen and her party, the National Rally, in the economically depressed north where she dominated Sunday. In Denain, a city won by Le Pen, Macron spoke of the worries of the youth in Denain and other social issues. He tried to remind voters of the extremist roots of Le Pen’s party, referring to it by its old name, the National Front. At a campaign stop of her own in a rural area, Yonne, Le Pen said that the dam was a dishonest strategy to win an election, adding that “it’s a way to save yourself when you don’t deserve it.’’ In a triumphant speech against the majestic backdrop of the Louvre Museum five years ago, Macron had launched his presidency by pledging to unite the French so that there would be “no reason at all to vote for the extremes.’’ But in addition to Le Pen’s second-place finish, with 23% of the vote, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leftist veteran, won 22% of Sunday’s votes to finish a strong third. Mélenchon’s supporters — split in their attitudes toward Macron and Le Pen — could now help determine the election’s final outcome April 24. After five years of Macron, who trounced Le Pen in the 2017 runoff, the far-right leader emerged stronger than ever. She has softened her image in a successful process of “undemonizing’’ and focused relentlessly on ordinary voters’ economic hardship. In Yonne, Le Pen hammered away at the themes that carried her through to the second round. Meeting with a cereal farmer, she spoke of how rising prices of fuel and fertilizers following the war in Ukraine would raise the cost of staples at supermarkets and hurt the most vulnerable. The far right’s record performance Sunday resulted from a combination of factors, including Le Pen’s own efforts to revamp her image, a successful cultural battle waged by conservative forces in recent years and a series of Islamic militant attacks in France since 2015. But critics say that it also reflected Macron’s continued strategy of triangulating France’s electoral landscape. While Macron was regarded as a center-left candidate five years ago, he shifted rightward during his presidency, sensing that his main challenge would come from Le Pen. That shift was embodied by a series of laws toughening France’s stance on immigration, empowering the police and combating Islamic militant extremism. Many working French also felt that his economic policies unfairly favored the rich and have left them more adrift. If Macron’s intention was to defuse Le Pen’s appeal by stripping her of her core issues, critics say the approach backfired by ushering the talking points of the far right deeper into the mainstream political debate. Then, Le Pen also shifted her message to pocketbook issues that have now resonated even more broadly as energy prices spike because of the war in Ukraine. Sacha Houlié, a lawmaker and a spokesperson for Macron’s campaign, said that the president was aiming to strengthen the dam strategy. He acknowledged that there have been “some mistakes” and “blunders,” noting that some government ministers had picked up themes and expressions promoted by the far right. But Houlié denied that Macron had normalized far-right ideas, saying his government had mainly tried to respond to people’s growing concerns on crime and immigration. “We cannot sweep the dust under the carpet,” he said, referring to the issues. But many, especially Mélenchon’s supporters of the left, feel so betrayed that Macron may have a harder time in this next election persuading them to join his call for unity by building a dam against Le Pen, whom the president has called a danger to democracy. Alexis Lévrier, a historian who has written about Macron’s relations with the news media, said that as Macron tried to reshape French politics around a strict divide between his mainstream movement and Le Pen, he “contributed to the rise in power of the far right.” Unwittingly, “he’s a pyromaniac firefighter,” Lévrier said. A resident of Guyancourt — a well-off, left-leaning city southwest of Paris where Mélenchon came in first Sunday — Stéphanie Noury said that, in 2017, she gave Macron her vote as part of a dam against the far right. But this time, she planned to stay home for the final round. “Macron played into the hands of the extreme right,’’ said Noury, 55, a human resources manager who voted Sunday for Mélenchon. “He told himself that he would always win against the extreme right.’’ Compared to 2017, Le Pen’s share of the first-round vote went up by a couple of percentage points despite the direct challenge of a new rival, far-right TV pundit Éric Zemmour, who urged his supporters to vote for Le Pen in the upcoming showdown. On Sunday, Le Pen, Zemmour and a third far-right candidate, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, together got 32% of the vote. In 2017, Le Pen and Dupont-Aignan collected 26% in the first round. Voters first formed a dam against the extreme right in 2002 when Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, shocked the political establishment by making it into a runoff against Jacques Chirac. Another dam helped defeat Marine Le Pen in 2017. To gain credibility on the right, in 2019, Macron gave his first long interview on the sensitive issues of immigration and Islam to Valeurs Actuelles, a magazine that straddles the right and far right. “By talking to us, Emmanuel Macron came to seek some legitimacy on these subjects, from right-wing people who felt he was doing nothing,” said Geoffroy Lejeune, the publication’s editor. “He knows that by doing this, he’s sending a big signal.” Aurélien Taché, a lawmaker once allied with Macron, said the president was elected in 2017 thanks to voters who put aside their political differences and united against Le Pen. He said Macron should have taken those votes — mainly from the left — into account in his policies afterward. “He did not consider them,” he said, adding that Macron instead worked to “set up this cleavage’’ between him and Le Pen, leading to a “high-risk rematch.” “There have been, on a whole range of topics, very strong concessions made to the far right,” Taché said, also citing tougher immigration rules and the application of a stricter version of French secularism, called laïcité. But Taché, who quit Macron’s party in 2020 over the president’s shift to the right, was especially critical of the government’s landmark law against separatism, which has been criticized inside and outside France, including by the U.S. envoy on international religious freedom. The law amounted to “making Islam and Muslims invisible,” Taché said. Some academics, political opponents and Muslim organizations have also criticized the law as discriminating against French Muslims by leading to the widespread closing of mosques, Muslim associations and schools. That resentment may now also complicate Macron’s dam-building effort. To be reelected, for instance, he will have to persuade voters in places likes Trappes, a working-class city with a large Muslim population southwest of Paris, to join the dam against Le Pen. A longtime stronghold of Mélenchon supporters, Trappes strongly backed Macron in the 2017 runoff. But comments by voters Sunday suggested that the dam might not be as effective this time. Frédéric Renan, 47, a computer programmer, said he would abstain or cast a blank vote in a showdown between Macron and Le Pen. “Macron opened the door to the extreme right,’’ Renan said, adding that the president’s economic policies hurt the poor and fueled the rise of the far right. “I don’t see how voting for Macron is a vote in a dam against the extreme right,” he said. “Some people will say that not participating in the dam against the extreme right is irresponsible, that the threat of the extreme right is greater than what Emmanuel Macron proposes, but I’m not convinced.’’

Macron sets out to build a 'Dam' against Le Pen. Can it hold?

After winning the first round of the Presidential elections incumbent French president Emmanuel Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen have made an aggressive start to the next phase of the campaign ahead of the country's presidential runoff vote on the 24th of April.

French Presidential Elections: Macron, Marine Le Pen begin runoff campaigns

The French elections headed for a runoff between Emmanuel Macron and&nbsp;Marine Le Pen&nbsp;as the first round projections&nbsp;appeared to be on the knife's edge suggesting the French president held a slender 28.6 to 29.7 per cent lead over his far-right rival. The final results have still not been declared.

Macron and Marine Le Pen will now compete in a runoff which will be held on April 24 with&nbsp;the presidential elections in balance.&nbsp;

There were 12 candidates in the fray for the presidential polls&nbsp;with Macron and Le Pen, 53, now ready to fight for the coveted post.&nbsp;According to projections, Republican candidate Valerie Pecresse finished in fifth place.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-regrets-entering-frances-presidential-race-late-as-le-pen-cuts-lead-469367">Also Read:&nbsp; Macron regrets entering France's presidential race late as Le Pen cuts lead</a>

Macron held the edge over Le Pen in the first round of voting as other candidates fell away.

Le Pen had earlier declared that this would be her last presidential election even as French term limits would disallow Macron from re-election in 2027.

Watch: Will Emmanuel Macron get a second term?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-elections-will-emmanuel-macron-get-a-second-term-469930/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The French president declared that the "next 15 days will be decisive for France and Europe" ahead of the crucial runoff. Macron had earlier held a ten-point lead but it was shaved off consistently by Le Pen with a campaign focussed on living costs as she&nbsp;promised to "bring order back to France".

Le Pen had concentrated on grassroots campaigning while bringing her party close to the mainstream even as Macron, 44, who had won the presidential election in 2017 enjoyed&nbsp;a comfortable lead in the polls. Macron promised tax cuts and raise in the retirement age as elections neared.

(With inputs from Agencies)

The French elections headed for a runoff between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as the first round projections appeared to be on the knife's edge suggesting the French president held a slender 28.

The French elections headed for a runoff between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as the first round projections appeared to be on the knife's edge suggesting the French president held a slender 28.6 to 29.7 per cent lead over his far-right rival. The final results have still not been declared. Macron and Marine Le Pen will now compete in a runoff which will be held on April 24 with the presidential elections in balance. There were 12 candidates in the fray for the presidential polls with Macron and Le Pen, 53, now ready to fight for the coveted post. According to projections, Republican candidate Valerie Pecresse finished in fifth place. Also Read: Macron regrets entering France's presidential race late as Le Pen cuts lead Macron held the edge over Le Pen in the first round of voting as other candidates fell away. Le Pen had earlier declared that this would be her last presidential election even as French term limits would disallow Macron from re-election in 2027. Watch: Will Emmanuel Macron get a second term? The French president declared that the "next 15 days will be decisive for France and Europe" ahead of the crucial runoff. Macron had earlier held a ten-point lead but it was shaved off consistently by Le Pen with a campaign focussed on living costs as she promised to "bring order back to France". Le Pen had concentrated on grassroots campaigning while bringing her party close to the mainstream even as Macron, 44, who had won the presidential election in 2017 enjoyed a comfortable lead in the polls. Macron promised tax cuts and raise in the retirement age as elections neared. (With inputs from Agencies)

French elections: Macron faces Le Pen in presidential runoff

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