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Le Pen to unveil electoral plans Le Pen launching election plans
(about 11 hours later)
France's National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen is due to unveil his platform for April's presidential elections at a convention in Lille. A convention of France's far-right National Front party has begun in Lille where its leader Jean-Marie Le Pen is launching his fifth bid for president.
Anti-immigration measures are at the heart of the programme, a message seen as key to his electoral fortunes.Anti-immigration measures are at the heart of the programme, a message seen as key to his electoral fortunes.
In the last presidential elections in 2002, Mr Le Pen emerged as the surprise second candidate in the final run-off. Mr Le Pen's daughter, Marine, opened the two-day convention by saying that "France is going down the drain".
This year, he is trailing in the opinion polls, yet analysts say he could still reach the second round. Mr Le Pen placed a surprise second in the 2002 race, but is trailing in the opinion polls ahead of April's vote.
Polls often underestimate his support as it is thought many who privately back him are unlikely to publicly endorse him. Marine Le Pen is directing her father's election campaign, and is behind the efforts to give him and the party a more modern and moderate look, says the BBC's Jonathan Marcus in Lille.
However an alternative third candidate to the two main left and right-wing presidential contenders is already emerging. The centrist Francois Bayrou has jumped to 17% in the opinion polls, potentially sapping support from both the main candidates. Nationalist message
"The French people are losing the joy of being French," she told the party delegates in Lille.
"We need a statesman, a man with character who can look into the future... and give sovereignty back to the French people".
As the convention began, about 1,000 anti-Le Pen protesters rallied outside the venue.
Mr Le Pen came in second in the 2002 electionThe Lille region has been hit by hard economic times and it's a place where Mr Le Pen's stridently nationalist and populist message goes down well, says our correspondent.
But support in Lille has yet to convert into wider appeal; Mr Le Pen is currently trailing in fourth place with about 13% of the vote, opinion polls suggest.
In addition, the 78-year-old Mr Le Pen has yet to collect the 500 signatures from local officials that will enable him to stand.In addition, the 78-year-old Mr Le Pen has yet to collect the 500 signatures from local officials that will enable him to stand.
9/11 'incident' However, polls often underestimate his support as it is thought many who privately back him are unlikely to publicly endorse him.
An alternative third candidate to the two main left and right-wing presidential contenders is already emerging. The centrist Francois Bayrou has jumped to 17% in the opinion polls, potentially sapping support from both the main candidates.
Key planks of Mr Le Pen's platform are plans to send some immigrants home and limiting benefits to French nationals only.Key planks of Mr Le Pen's platform are plans to send some immigrants home and limiting benefits to French nationals only.
He also remains opposed to many aspects of the European Union, and stridently anti-American.He also remains opposed to many aspects of the European Union, and stridently anti-American.
He has caused some controversy in recent days by referring to the 11 September attacks on the US as an "incident". Analysts say such sentiments may play well with elements of the electorate, although they note that it is jobs and the economy which are currently at the top of voters' concerns.
"Three thousands deaths - that's what there are every month in Iraq. It's many fewer than died in the bombings of Marseille or Dresden at the end of World War II," he told La Croix. Mr Le Pen is not seen as particularly strong on these issues, but, says our correspondent, if the mainstream candidates get into trouble and the conservative vote divides, then - just perhaps - Mr Le Pen could make it to the second round.
Analysts say such remarks may play well with elements of the electorate, although they note that it is jobs and the economy which are currently at the top of voters' concerns. Mr Le Pen is not seen as particularly strong on these issues.
He is currently drawing about 13% of the vote, according to opinion polls.
But, says the BBC's Jonathan Marcus in Lille, if the mainstream candidates get into trouble and the conservative vote divides, then - just perhaps - Mr Le Pen could make it to the second round.