French far-right launches campaign for EU parliament

PARIS — French farright party National Rally has launched its campaign for the European Parliament election, which nationalist, anti-immigration movements like Marine Le Pen’s hope to dominate.

During a speech in Paris on Sunday, party leader Le Pen urged voters to seize the May 26 vote as a chance to “beat” French President Emmanuel Macron after weeks of anti-government protests.

She said of hoped-for wins by nationalist movements in EU member nations: “The moment of the big political changeover has come.”

Le Pen’s party placed first in France during the 2014 European Parliament election and has a good chance to do the same this year.

French voters will fill 79 of the European Union legislature’s 705 seats.