PARIS, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Jean-Marie Le Pen, head of France's National Front Party, angered some of his base by launching his presidential campaign at a revolutionary shrine.
Speaking at Valmy, where French rebels defeated a Prussian army in 1792, Le Pen also abandoned some of his xenophobic rhetoric, The Independent reported. He asked for the support of all French citizens, including those born elsewhere.
Le Pen compared France's situation now to that it faced in 1972, saying the country must "conquer or perish."
"Either France defeats hostile foreign powers or it tamely abandons through the ballot box its history and its soul to the enemy forces of globalized capitalism, communitarism and uncontrolled immigration," Le Pen said.
Le Pen, 78, is making his fifth run for president. His decision to launch the campaign at Valmy led to protests from royalists and right-wing Catholics in the National Front.
The victory at Valmy was followed by the abolition of the monarchy and the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.
