Claims Russian hackers leaked emails to discredit presidential frontrunner
AS THE French go to the polls, there are claims that Russian hackers were behind the online publication of confidential emails from presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron’s campaign.
There are concerns that the hacking attack was an attempt to embarrass the leader of the centrist En Marche! movement and promote his Front National opponent Marine Le Pen, who is pro-Brexit and fiercely anti-EU.
Mr Macron has often said that growing up in the Somme region of France – where thousands of British and Irish soldiers, were killed – turned him against Brexit-style nationalism.
He believes that the EU has called an end to the bloodshed that saw his home city of Amiens all but destroyed by warring neighbours.
In an election debate, Mr Macron told Ms Le Pen: ‘Nationalism is war. I know it. I come from a region that is full of graveyards.’
Asked if devastating battles like the Somme had affected his view of Europe, Mr Macron said: ‘Yes, that’s a very important part of my politics. It’s something that needs to be talked about.’
Final opinion polls in France have Mr Macron, 39, becoming the 25th – and youngest ever – president of France with at least 60% of the vote.
Results will be known by early evening.