PARIS (voa) – French far-right presidential candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen has called for what he termed relatively comfortable transit camps where illegal immigrants can be housed pending deportation.
Speaking on television Thursday Mr. Le Pen said France is being overtaken in some areas by large immigrant populations that are creating destabilizing social conditions. Mr. Le Pen’s comments follow the largest anti-Le Pen demonstrations since his stunning second place finish in last Sunday’s first-round of presidential elections.
Officials estimate that up to 250,000 people filled the streets across France Thursday, urging voters to reject Mr. Le Pen’s candidacy. Many French universities canceled classes to allow students to participate in the demonstrations and the political debate.
French President Jacques Chirac has defended the demonstrations but urged protesters to show determination in a dignified manner. Opinion polls show Mr. Le Pen has little chance of beating Mr. Chirac in the May fifth runoff.
In a rare sign of solidarity, Jewish and Muslim leaders in Marseille, where Mr. Le Pen finished first in Sunday’s vote, have issued a joint statement backing the re-election of Mr. Chirac. They call Mr. Le Pen the candidate of hate and xenophobia.
