PARIS (voa) – French President Jacques Chirac launches the second round of his re-election campaign Tuesday, following more protests against the surprise success of far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Mr. Chirac’s planned appearance in the western city of Rennes comes after tens of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across France Monday, alarmed at Mr. Le Pen’s surprise second-place finish in Sunday’s first-round balloting. Police in Paris used tear gas for a second night to disperse demonstrators.
Mr. Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Front party, received 17-percent of the vote Sunday, prompting Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin to announce he is resigning from politics. French media called the results of the vote a political earthquake.
Mr. Le Pen has vowed to lead France out of the European Union if he is elected president. Far-right leaders in several European countries hailed Mr. Le Pen’s electoral success. But government officials from Greece, Sweden, Germany and Britain strongly criticized the ultranationalist politician.
Early voter opinion polls indicate President Chirac will win the May 5 run-off election, taking between 77 and 80 percent of the vote.
