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Marine Le Pen appeared at a political rally at a farm near Limoges. The Front National leader delivered a speech vowing to protect farmers who have been “abandoned” and “forgotten” by city-centric politics. More than 500 people turned out to hear the presidential hopeful at Puybonnieux farm in Pageas.

AFP GETTY Marine Le Pen delivered a defiant speech hours after arsonists targeted her office

The Front National leader delivered a speech vowing to protect farmers who have been “abandoned” and “forgotten” by city-centric politics

Her speech came hours after arsonists hit Ms Le Pen’s Paris headquarters. Police said the attack caused minor damage with the Front National leader blaming leftist groups for the arson attempt. The police source said the ground floor of the central Paris building was targeted and graffiti mentioning Ms Le Pen's National Front was found nearby.

Interior Minister Matthias Fekl condemned the attack. He said: “These are unacceptable acts, the democratic debate must take place in the ballot box," Fekl told RTL radio, without giving any details about the attack itself. “We have been in touch with the National Front candidate's team since last night and will see with them if it is necessary to strengthen security procedures.”

AFP GETTY Some polls suggest Ms Le Pen will win the first round

REUTERS Marine Le Pen met rural supporters at a rally near Limoges

Ms Le Pen told France 2 television she believed a leftist group was responsible. She said: “I assume this is due to a small leftist group. These groups act in total impunity.” AFP news agency said a group calling itself "Combat xenophobia" contacted them to claim responsibility for the arson attempt.

REUTERS Polls put Emmanuel Macron as Ms Le Pen's main challenger

Recent polls show the French election race becoming tighter with an Ifop-Fiducial poll saying Ms Le Pen will win the first round on April 23 with 23.5 per cent compared to her main challenger Emmanuel Macron on 22.5 per cent. According to the poll Mr Macron is expected to beat Ms Le Pen in the second round on May 7 by 58.5 per cent to 41.5 per cent.

Things you didn't know about Marine Le Pen Fri, May 5, 2017 Marine Le Pen is a French politician who is the president of the National Front, a national-conservative political party in France and one of its main political forces. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 10 Described as more democratic and republican than her nationalist father, she has led a movement of "de-demonization of the Front National" to detoxify it and soften its image