A Molotov cocktail thrown at the campaign headquarters of French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has caused only minor damage, police said. Populist politician Le Pen has blamed the attack on leftist groups.
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Firefighters were called to the scene on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore in central Paris at about 2:40 am local time (0040 GMT). No one was injured in the incident, as the blaze was quickly extinguished. A police source said the cause of the fire was "not natural and probably criminal."
A fire department spokesman said that the fire had damaged only the door and a doormat. Police sources added that vandals had also sprayed graffiti against Le Pen's far-right Front National party on the building.
A group calling itself "Fight Xenophobia" contacted the French Agence France Presse (AFP) news agency to claim responsibility for the attack, adding that it had been carried out with "Molotov cocktails."
Le Pen accuses leftist groups
The police said they had launched an investigation into the incident; however, Front National presidential candidate Marine Le Pen told public broadcaster France-2 television that investigators had not contacted her or her campaign.
"I assume this is due to a small leftist group," she said during the interview. "These groups act in total impunity," she added, saying that the government should endeavor to dissolve them.
France is choosing a new president this year. A first round vote on April 23 isn't expected to produce a clear winner, setting up a face-off between the top two contenders on May 7. DW takes a look at the major players.
Image: AP
Emmanuel Macron
Macron quit as economy minister in August and launched his independent presidential bid in November. The 39-year-old centrist formed his own political movement, En Marche (Forward), and is seen as a reformer. Despite having never held elected office, polls have predicted his win in the final round of voting in May. He's voiced admiration for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's refugee policy.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Bozon
Marine Le Pen
The National Front leader has adopted a more moderate tone than her anti-Semitic father, party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen. But she still takes a hard line on immigration, saying children of irregular migrants should not have access to public education. She also wants France to withdraw from the eurozone and have a referendum on EU membership. It's predicted she'll advance to the second round.
Image: Reuters/P. Rossignol
Francois Fillon
A surprise winner of the right-wing Republicans primaries, the socially conservative Fillon is seen to represent the interests of France's Catholic middle class. An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, he supports a liberal economic policy. Though Penelopegate and other scandals have marred Fillon's campaign, he has professed no wrongdoing and vowed to fight on.
Image: Reuters/P. Wojazer
Benoit Hamon
In a runoff against former French PM Manuel Valls in the Socialist primary, Hamon was the more left-wing choice of the two politicians. The 49-year-old supports a universal basic income and wants to shorten the traditional work week. He has also spoken in support of increased investment in renewable energy. He faces an uphill battle as many socialist politicians have voiced support for Macron.
Image: Reuters/P. Wojazer
Jean-Luc Melenchon
The Left Party's candidate landed fourth in the 2012 presidential elections. Melenchon, a current European Parliament member, believes the bloc's economic liberalism has stifled France. He hopes to profit from the center-left's disarray, but may split votes with socialist Hamon. Supported by the French Communist party, Melenchon advocates a shorter work week and climate protection.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/E. Feferberg
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Government condemns attempted attack
French Interior Minister Matthias Fekl has meanwhile condemned the attack, saying "these are unacceptable acts. The democratic debate must take place in the ballot box."
"We have been in touch with the National Front candidate's team since last night and will see with them if it is necessary to strengthen security procedures."