Macron, Le Pen rush for final campaigning efforts
The two candidates prepare for a final push of campaigning before France's presidential election on Thursday.
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Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron (AFP)
After a heated discussion in which they argued over connections with Russia and the Hijab (Muslim headscarf), Macron and Le Pen prepare for a final push of campaigning before France's presidential election on Thursday.
Sunday's second-round run-off between the current President Macron and Marine Le Pen will decide the future of France's leadership.
There are just two days left of campaigning, as Saturday is a day of rest with no campaigning permitted.
Macron was scheduled to visit voters in the north of Paris on Thursday, while Le Pen was scheduled to host a rally in the northern city of Arras.
The two engaged in a TV debate on Wednesday where they bumped heads over Russia, the Muslim headscarf, and the cost of living for the French.
Macron accused Le Pen of being dependent on Putin and questioned her past recognition of the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Le Pen replied that she was "an absolutely and totally free woman," detailing that a loan she took from a Czech-Russian bank was because French banks refused to lend her.
Read more: Le Pen: Rapprochement with Russia essential for European security
Le Pen defended her banning of the Islamic headscarf in public and labeled it a "uniform imposed by Islamists," to which Macron replied that she would be causing a civil war.
Alliance of nations
Le Pen pledged she would end the "anarchic and massive" immigration into France, blaming high crime rates on immigrants.
"Your policy is to leave Europe," Macron stated, and described her campaign as a "referendum for or against the EU."
Le Pen stated that she desired for France to remain in the EU but reform it into an "alliance of nations."
Macron stated that "we must and should improve people's daily lives through major projects for the school and health systems".
Most polls are indicating that Macron is at an advantage of over 10%. If he wins, he will be the second President to win a second term after Jacques Chirac.
See this: French Presidential Elections: Electoral process
Polls suggest that over 10% of the French who intend to vote have not yet decided who to vote for.
A snap opinion poll by Elabe for BFM TV reported that 59% of viewers found Macron more convincing than Le Pen, and 39% were in support of Le Pen.
