Jailed Putin critic Navalny calls on France to vote for Macron

Alexey Navalny makes a heart symbol while standing in a cage during a court hearing in February in Moscow [Moscow City Court via AP]

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny has called on French voters to support incumbent President Emmanuel Macron in the presidential election, accusing his far-right opponent Marine Le Pen’s party of links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Navalny said he will “root for France” in the second round of voting on Sunday between Macron and Le Pen, who has supported Putin in the past.