Therefore, the final stages of the presidential first round election are certainly up for grabs and the same applies to the eventual second round depending on the final two candidates. They warn that his promises to heavily tax the rich and renegotiate France's role in the European Union would devastate the French economy. JPMorgan analysts forecast the demise of radical candidates Le Pen and Mélenchon could send the euro up to US$1.15 from its current level of US$1.06.
The race for the presidency features Francois Fillon, Emmanuael Macron, Benoit Hamon, Jean-Luc Melenchon, and Marine Le Pen. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and and centrist Emmanuel Macron are expected to qualify for the May 7 run-off, according to the polls. With an eye on surveys showing his status as favourite being eroded by a late surge in support for far-leftist Jean-Luc Melenchon, Macron hit back at the Communist-backed candidate who wants France to join a Latin American alliance of leftist leaders founded by late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.
Commemorating the World War I battle of Chemin des Dames in northern France, Hollande credited Europe with "having protected us against war".
The election has revealed angst over a perceived erosion of French identity, which Le Pen has pinned on immigration from Muslim North Africa.
Le Pen recently said, "What is at stake in this election ... is whether France can still be a free nation..."
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China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to faxed questions. "So the situation has become more serious under Trump". Trump took to Twitter to defend what critics see as a softening of his attitude to Beijing.
Three-quarters of non-FN voters said the party as "dangerous for democracy" and four out of five found it "racist".
Around 400 people demonstrated in the multi-ethnic northern Paris suburb of Aubervilliers Sunday against a rally planned by Le Pen Monday in a nearby concert hall.
"No fascists in our neighborhoods", they shouted. Like the USA, there is far too much anger down at street level that may lead to people actually voting in anger rather than abstaining in despair.
For some voters, Ms Le Pen is too extreme while centrist Emmanuel Macron is too young.
Casting herself as the best defender against the militants who have killed more than 230 people in France since 2015, Ms Le Pen also tore into Mr Fillon, accusing him of letting ultra-conservative Islam gain ground when he was prime minister of the country between 2007 and 2012. "It's tightening. Fillon could find himself in the second round if he mobilises his base", Christophe Castaner, a Socialist lawmaker close to Macron, told reporters.
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