Macron, Le Pen kick off French presidential runoff campaigns

By SYLVIE CORBET
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron says he wants to “convince” a broad range of French voters to back his centrist vision. On Monday he kicked off a two-week battle against far-right challenger Marine Le Pen ahead of the country’s presidential runoff. Le Pen, meanwhile, is ready for the fight, highlighting the rising prices for energy and food that have hit poor households especially hard as Macron has focused on trying to end the war in Ukraine. With the first round of the French presidential election over, all eyes are looking to April 24 presidential runoff. Macron trounced Le Pen in the presidential runoff five years ago but polls show the far-right leader is much closer this time. The two candidates will hold a debate on French television next week.