Macron, a pro-EU centrist, won the presidency in 2017 after easily beating Le Pen when voters rallied behind him in the runoff to keep the far right out of power. Hundreds of celebrities and sporting figures have also endorsed him to block Le Pen coming to power. Le Pen, whose stance is anti-immigration and Eurosceptic, has sought in recent years to soften her image and that of her National Rally party. Opponents, including Macron, have said her programme is full of lies and false promises – an accusation Le Pen has rejected. Speaking to reporters during a campaign stop in southern France, Le Pen dismissed the planned protests as undemocratic.

Source: The Guardian April 16, 2022 17:22 UTC