National Front leader and presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen wants to put an end to free welfare services for foreigners, including free education for children.
Le Pen has emerged as a serious contender in next year’s presidential election. The party has been accused of racism by opponents, but Le Pen claims she has nothing against foreigners in France.
“But I tell them: if you come to our country don’t expect to be taken care of, to be looked after, that your children will be educated without charge,” Le Pen said Thursday during a speech in Paris. “No more playtime.”
Le Pen clarified she only wants to cut free education for illegal immigrants and not all foreigners, according to AFP.
Polls suggest Le Pen will make it to a run-off election against conservative candidate Francois Fillon. About two-thirds of voters would vote for Fillon in such a match-up, according to recent polls.
Le Pen tries to appeal to the French working class by cutting immigration and promising “national solidarity” for the poorest.
“We’re going to reserve our efforts and our national solidarity for the most humble, the most modest and the most poor among us,” Le Pen said.
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