Thomas Lemaire who co-owns French cafe Suzette in South Kensington
(Picture: Handout)French expatriates in London on Friday expressed their fears that a victory for nationalist Marine Le Pen in Sunday’s election could trigger the loosening of the country’s ties with Europe.
Emmanuel Macron is hoping their votes will help him over the line in what is expected to be a tight race.
There are thousands of expatriates in the capital with many based around South Kensington which has a French school, cafes, book shops and bakeries.
Mr Macron, 44, has previously described London as France’s sixth biggest city, such are the numbers of citizens who have set up home here, and stressed its importance in the election.
In the 2017 election, 95 per cent of expatriates in Britain voted for him and he hopes for similar support to help him get over the line this time round.
There are 15 polling booths across the UK where the French can vote although there are no postal votes.
In a televised head-to-head debate on Wednesday the candidates clashed over Ms Le Pen’s ties with Vladimir Putin, economic police and immigration.
Thomas Lemaire, 38, who co-owns French cafe Suzette in South Kensington, is among those hoping that Mr Macron can win re-election.
He told the Standard: “It has to be Macron. I do not want Le Pen in power. She is dangerous because she is attracting a lot of support among young people.
“She is playing a clever game trying to seem an acceptable face of the Right but she really wants to make France for the French. Britain has better integration than in France and Le Pen will make it worse.
“Being anti-immigration is ridiculous. Brexit has made a difference in London and I find it hard to find staff because a lot have gone home.
“However, I have my business here and like the city. I’m worried that Le Pen, although she has not said it outright, would take France further away from the European countries which support peace and reject nationalism.”
Sophie Banchereau, 33, works in London for the International Rescue Committee, which helps refugees.
She said: “Marine Le Pen would be very negative. Her attitude towards immigration would be the main reason. I hope Macron wins. My partner is from Lebanon and I don’t think she likes Lebanese people. She is far Right and I do not share any of her values. In my job I try to help the people she attacks.”
Antoine Lambert, a chef at Bonjour Putney Bakery in west London, said: “This is a dangerous time in Europe with the rise of the extreme right in places like Hungary. Although she masks it now Le Pen is a nationalist and could take France away from the European values which we need to preserve. I fear she would take the country in the wrong direction and for it to be less tolerant.”
The first round of voting saw Mr Macron poll 27.6 per cent while Ms Le Pen, who represents the National Rally party, won 23.4 per cent. It comes after Mr Macron was up in the polls on Thursday after a fiery TV debate.
Survey results hours after a TV face-off showed the head of state on 59 per cent of the vote, and his far-Right rival on 39 per cent, with two per cent abstentions.
