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The pro-Trump hardliner added that going head-to-head with Mr Macron in the second and final round of the presidential election would be "a gift," and that she was "not at all worried" about the fact that the Socialist was riding high in opinion polls.

She said: "Our core values and political projects could not be more different. I do not feel threatened by him, he is my dream opponent. He makes me feel hopeful.

"A face-off between him and I would be the best: he is a grotesque and unabashed globalist, I, on the other hand, am a patriot."