French election: Protests about Le Pen’s ties to Putin enrage her

France’s two presidential opponents have traded allegations following the assault of a woman protesting far-right candidate Marine Le Pen’s ties to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

The demonstrator has pulled down the floor after waving a heart-shaped banner depicting Ms. Le Pen meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2017.

Ms. Le Pen responded to critics by saying that the public should be horrified that election news briefings might be disrupted.

The election will take place on 24 April.

Marine Le Pen, the National Rally’s leader, finished second to Emmanuel Macron in Sunday’s first round, but surveys indicate she is only a few points behind the incumbent president in the fight for the run-off.

Mr. Macron has accused his opponent of possessing “authoritarian” beliefs, contradicting her more moderate image during the presidential campaign. Previously, he has denounced her policies as racist.

Ms. Le Pen stated on Thursday that France has never had a president with as much authoritarianism as Mr. Macron, owing to his handling of yellow-vest demonstrators. She continued by stating that if she were elected president, a referendum on reintroducing the death penalty may be held.

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