Candidates seek religious vote in tight contest

France’s cliffhanger presidential election neared tomorrow’s first round of voting with all four front-runners stepping up Christian references to appeal to religious sentiments that are normally overlooked in the country’s officially secular political sphere.

Far-right Marine Le Pen, centrist Emmanuel Macron, conservative François Fillon and far-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon all went into their final campaigning before the first round with reason to hope they could make it to the runoff vote on 7 May.

There are hardly any blocs of faith-based voters in France, but some religious traditions and values can sway parts of the electorate. Appeals to these feelings have multiplied now that every vote counts.

Ms Le Pen and Mr Macron are both polling around 22 per cent and Mr Fillon and Mr Mélenchon are roughly tied at around 20 per cent. Pollsters expect Marine Le Pen to win one of the run-off places but late shifts in support could decide who gets the second spot.

Front National leader Le Pen said in an interview last week: “I am a believer, extremely so, and I’m lucky to have never doubted.”

“But it’s true,” she added, “that I’m angry with the [Catholic] Church, which I think sticks its nose into all sorts of things that don’t concern it. In certain personal circumstances, I think it didn’t show enough compassion.”

Asked if she would invite Pope Francis to France, she said: “With great pleasure! And I would tell him what I’ve just told you.” The Pope’s appeals to welcome foreigners were fine, she added, but she argued that charity is personal so his words did not apply to her party’s anti-immigration policies.

François Fillon, who clearly presents himself as a practising Catholic, spoke about France’s Christian roots on Holy Saturday in Le Puy-en-Velay, a major departure point for medieval pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela.

Mr Fillon attended Easter Vigil Mass at a Coptic church in a Paris suburb to underline his support for Middle Eastern Christians. He Fillon also said that Common Sense, the network that grew out of the anti-gay marriage marches and  supports his candidacy, could be part of his government.

Mr Macron, a dynamic newcomer who wants to overcome France’s traditional left-right political divide, visited a Paris homeless shelter on Easter Sunday run by Secours Catholique, the French branch of Caritas Internationalis. “The values defended by Secours Catholique match my idea of the common interest,” he said. “Being Catholic means defending the poorest.”

Christian imagery was even present at a rally in Marseilles for Mr Mélenchon, who polls say has increased support among some left-wing Catholics. Speaking on Palm Sunday, he waved a sprig of olive leaves. “I am the candidate of peace,” he declared.