Europe | Paris grudge match

Marine Le Pen hopes for another face-off against Emmanuel Macron

The populist’s third try at France’s presidency is unlikely to succeed

Mar 12th 2022|REIMS

THIS IS THE heart of France’s champagne country, but no vineyard or chateau is to be seen. Instead, a procession of a dozen shiny navy-blue buses pulls up outside an angular concrete convention centre on the outskirts of the cathedral city of Reims. One by one, they disgorge flag-waving supporters, who have travelled from across the country. On the side of each bus is a giant full-colour portrait of their champion, and just two words: Marine présidente.

This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Le Pen, again”