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National Front in patriotic fervour National Front in patriotic fervour
(33 minutes later)
Every year on May Day the far right in France marches to the statue of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) on the right bank in Paris, to lay a wreath.Every year on May Day the far right in France marches to the statue of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) on the right bank in Paris, to lay a wreath.
The Maid of Orleans is the adopted symbol of French nationalism - though right now there's another they have taken to their hearts.The Maid of Orleans is the adopted symbol of French nationalism - though right now there's another they have taken to their hearts.
She's the National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen.She's the National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen.
"Marine Le President!" they shouted today as she joined them on their parade."Marine Le President!" they shouted today as she joined them on their parade.
The banners and flags of the regions were waved in approval, as the Marseillaise rang out across the Rue de Rivoli.The banners and flags of the regions were waved in approval, as the Marseillaise rang out across the Rue de Rivoli.
Marine is in buoyant mood at the moment. Alongside her on the front row of the march today were 10 of the far right mayors who took seats in last month's local elections - each wearing a sash in the colours of the French flag.Marine is in buoyant mood at the moment. Alongside her on the front row of the march today were 10 of the far right mayors who took seats in last month's local elections - each wearing a sash in the colours of the French flag.
The party hopes to replicate their unprecedented performance in the upcoming European elections. And polls suggest that amid the widespread apathy the FN could finish as the top party in France, stealing 20 European parliamentary seats, almost a third of the number available.The party hopes to replicate their unprecedented performance in the upcoming European elections. And polls suggest that amid the widespread apathy the FN could finish as the top party in France, stealing 20 European parliamentary seats, almost a third of the number available.
In the spirit of Jeanne d'Arc the backdrop to a stage built in front of the Opera, for the traditional May Day speech, was a picture of a woman dressed in a suit of armour. "No to Brussels, Yes to France" read the slogan.In the spirit of Jeanne d'Arc the backdrop to a stage built in front of the Opera, for the traditional May Day speech, was a picture of a woman dressed in a suit of armour. "No to Brussels, Yes to France" read the slogan.
The music that marked Marine's entrance was rousing and once at the podium the real jousting began.The music that marked Marine's entrance was rousing and once at the podium the real jousting began.
"Francois Hollande has taken on the suit of a small provincial governor that Merkel has asked him to wear," said Ms Le Pen. "His Prime Minister Manuel Valls has no idea how to govern France. The destiny of this country is being decided in Brussels.""Francois Hollande has taken on the suit of a small provincial governor that Merkel has asked him to wear," said Ms Le Pen. "His Prime Minister Manuel Valls has no idea how to govern France. The destiny of this country is being decided in Brussels."
"As for the UMP," she mocked (the conservative party of former leader Nicolas Sarkozy), "the UMP has left France on its knees."As for the UMP," she mocked (the conservative party of former leader Nicolas Sarkozy), "the UMP has left France on its knees.
"The French are lions - when they are not governed by donkeys.""The French are lions - when they are not governed by donkeys."
On the march Sophie Montel, an FN candidate in this month's European elections, told the BBC: "I'm optimistic, there's real enthusiasm ahead of the elections where I come from, in the Franche-Comte - I think we'll score some great results and get about 20 seats in parliament."
An FN supporter called Thierry said: "We are here to say that Europe has broken down.
"Politicians have imposed the EU on us for over twenty years and they were wrong. It's a political disaster and nobody wants to admit it."
The 54-year-old railway worker declined to give his surname.