In an interview published by European newspapers on Monday, French President Francois Hollande said he believed French voters "will not succumb" to the extreme right in presidential elections next month.

"The far-right is stronger today than it's been in 30 years. But France will not give in," Hollande said. "We know this vote will not only decide the fate of our own country, but also the future of Europe."

Polls suggest Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front (FN), could well win the first round  of the presidential election on April 23. According to most current surveys, the top two candidates, Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron, would then meet in a decisive second round on May 7.

'A future of borders'

Hollande warned that a Le Pen victory could lead to France's immediate exit from the eurozone and the European Union.

"That's the goal of all populists: to leave Europe, close themselves off from the world and to imagine a future of barriers and borders defended by watch towers," he added, alluding to US President Donald Trump's pledge to build a wall on the Mexican border. 

"My ultimate duty is to make sure that France is not won over by such a program, and that France does not bear such a heavy responsibility," Hollande said. The outgoing leader's approval ratings have dived in the polls over the past several months. He is currently regarded as the most unpopular president of the Fifth Republic.

Hollande's interview was published by six daily newspapers, including Germany's "Süddeutsche Zeitung," hours before heads of state from Germany, France, Italy and Spain were due to attend a mini-summit in Paris.

Challenges facing the EU

Hollande told the newspapers it was inevitable that the European Union would have countries progressing at "different speeds," and warned that "Europe will explode" if that idea isn't accepted. He also expressed frustration over sluggish decision-making by the bloc and what he called a return to "national egoism," with European countries pursuing individual goals without common ambition.

Hollande acknowledged that the recent victory of Donald Trump in the United States had emboldened populists across Europe, but said this had also presented progressive Europeans with an opportunity to present their projects more clearly. He also advocated better coordination of a European defense policy and the integration of armed forces, and added that sanctions could be a possibility for bloc members that don't respect EU principles.

nm/se (Reuters, AFP)