By Lee Han-soo
France's presidential election has advanced to a run-off between pro-Europe centrist Emmanuel Macron vowing to battle the "threat of nationalism" and far-right populist Marine Le Pen vowing to "liberate the French People."
The candidates want two drastically different futures for France, with Macron wanting closer ties with the EU and Le Pen wanting to leave it. The election outcome could change France's relationship with the EU in years to come.
Macron, 39, an investment banker, is in the lead with 23 to 24 percent support, while National Front Party president Le Pen, 48, enters the runoff as underdog with 21 to 23 percent support, according to a local poll agency.
The presidential election also signals a major change in France's political landscape as the candidates are not from the two major parties -- Socialists and the Republicans -- that have governed France since World War II.
Defeated candidates Francois Fillon, Bernard Cazeneuve and Benoit Hamon urged their supporters to back Macron.
"Le pen's program will bankrupt France and throw the EU into chaos," said Fillion, the republican candidate, who was third runner-up. "Le Pen's far-right National Front Party also has a long history of violence and intolerance."
Meanwhile, Le Pen -- portraying the run-off as a duel between "patriots" and "wild deregulations" -- has dubbed the runoff as for the survival of France. She claims that if she loses there will be major job losses overseas and a mass immigration problem that could lead to freely roaming "terrorists."
The final round of the election will be on May. 7.
France's presidential election has advanced to a run-off between pro-Europe centrist Emmanuel Macron vowing to battle the "threat of nationalism" and far-right populist Marine Le Pen vowing to "liberate the French People."
The candidates want two drastically different futures for France, with Macron wanting closer ties with the EU and Le Pen wanting to leave it. The election outcome could change France's relationship with the EU in years to come.
Macron, 39, an investment banker, is in the lead with 23 to 24 percent support, while National Front Party president Le Pen, 48, enters the runoff as underdog with 21 to 23 percent support, according to a local poll agency.
The presidential election also signals a major change in France's political landscape as the candidates are not from the two major parties -- Socialists and the Republicans -- that have governed France since World War II.
Defeated candidates Francois Fillon, Bernard Cazeneuve and Benoit Hamon urged their supporters to back Macron.
"Le pen's program will bankrupt France and throw the EU into chaos," said Fillion, the republican candidate, who was third runner-up. "Le Pen's far-right National Front Party also has a long history of violence and intolerance."
Meanwhile, Le Pen -- portraying the run-off as a duel between "patriots" and "wild deregulations" -- has dubbed the runoff as for the survival of France. She claims that if she loses there will be major job losses overseas and a mass immigration problem that could lead to freely roaming "terrorists."
The final round of the election will be on May. 7.
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