FRENCH ELECTION DEBATE: Marine Le Pen says ‘France is a jihadi university’
THE French president candidates discussed what France should do to combat the issue of terrorism in the country with the leader of Front National claiming the country is a "jihadi university".
Le Pen has criticised France for allowing terrorists to enter the country
French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen said France must protect its borders and claimed terrorists were slipping through with migrants.
She said: “We must control our country’s borders and control who enters and comes out of it.”
Ms Le Pen attacked Francois Fillon for getting rid of 5,000 army officers, when he was prime minister, and criticised the government for not closing down radical mosques.
For the first time, all 11 candidates took part in the debate
We must control our country’s borders and control who enters and comes out of it
Leader of the En Marche party, Emmanuel Macron, said cyber defence would be a priority in the battle against terrorism.
He said: “In France, I would recruit 10,000 more police officers.”
Mr Macron vowed to eradicate the threat of terrorism in France.
Mr Fillon has said that the “fight is about Islamic totalitarianism.”
He proposed a large alliance and said foreigners who are a threat to France should be deported.
Some of the smaller candidates blamed France’s military abroad for the terror attacks in their country.
According to polls, Macron and Le Pen are leading
Mr Macron has suggested that there should be a change in security in France.
He said: “I want to eradicate the terrorist threat at its source.”
Candidate Philippe Poutou said France should end its state of emergency and police should be disarmed as he exclaimed officers have been killing young people instead of fighting terrorism.