01:45France: Le Pen's Melania moment? FN candidate rehashes Fillon speech in odd case of deja-vu
French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen came under fire on Tuesday, as the Internet noticed a marked similarity between a speech she gave in Paris on Monday and one delivered by her former Republican rival Francois Fillon more than two weeks ago.
Critics quickly recognised eerie echoes of Fillon’s speech in Le Pen’s; "With its three maritime borders, the English Channel and the North Sea that connects us to the Anglo-Saxon world, and the immensity of the North,” Fillon had told his supporters in the town of Le Puy-en-Velay.
"With its three maritime borders, the English Channel and the North Sea that connects us to the Anglo-Saxon world, and the immensity of the North,” Le Pen later stated to her fans.
Amid applause, Le Pen also echoed Fillon’s declaration that “France is different and more than just an industrial, agricultural or military power” almost verbatim, further feeding accusations of plagiarism.
Speaking to local media on Tuesday, Le Pen discarded the accusations, saying she was only reaching out to Fillon’s supporters with a “nod-and-a-wink".
The plagiarism accusations have hit the National Front (FN) candidate just days before the French electorate go to the polls for the second round of presidential elections, set to take place on 7 May.
01:45French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen came under fire on Tuesday, as the Internet noticed a marked similarity between a speech she gave in Paris on Monday and one delivered by her former Republican rival Francois Fillon more than two weeks ago.
Critics quickly recognised eerie echoes of Fillon’s speech in Le Pen’s; "With its three maritime borders, the English Channel and the North Sea that connects us to the Anglo-Saxon world, and the immensity of the North,” Fillon had told his supporters in the town of Le Puy-en-Velay.
"With its three maritime borders, the English Channel and the North Sea that connects us to the Anglo-Saxon world, and the immensity of the North,” Le Pen later stated to her fans.
Amid applause, Le Pen also echoed Fillon’s declaration that “France is different and more than just an industrial, agricultural or military power” almost verbatim, further feeding accusations of plagiarism.
Speaking to local media on Tuesday, Le Pen discarded the accusations, saying she was only reaching out to Fillon’s supporters with a “nod-and-a-wink".
The plagiarism accusations have hit the National Front (FN) candidate just days before the French electorate go to the polls for the second round of presidential elections, set to take place on 7 May.