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In an interview strikingly similar in tone to the arguments of many eurosceptics the centrist candidate warned Frexit would still be a serious possibility even if he wins the keys to the Elysee. German media drily noted after the remarks that the pro-EU former banker had “switched sides” with populist Marine Le Pen, who has softened her own eurosceptic stance in recent weeks to appeal to moderate voters.

GETTY Emmanuel Macron has said the EU must reform

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Macron said: “I'm a pro-European, I defended constantly during this election the European idea and European policies because I believe it's extremely important for French people and for the place of our country in globalisation. “But at the same time we have to face the situation, to listen to our people, and to listen to the fact that they are extremely angry today, impatient and the dysfunction of the EU is no more sustainable.

GETTY Marine Le Pen has watered down her own policies on Europe

“So I do consider that my mandate, the day after, will be at the same time to reform in depth the European Union and our European project.” His candid remarks on the state of the European project came as opinion polls showed the former Front National leader making inroads into his lead, albeit she remains some distance behind. And they indicate that whoever wins the second round of the presidential election on Sunday is likely to pursue a radically different policy towards Brussels than the outgoing Francois Hollande.

The dysfunction of the EU is no more sustainable. Emmanuel Macron

Europhile centrist Mr Macron said that failing to press for serious reform of the EU during his first four years would be a “betrayal” of both the project and the French people. And he predicted that if it fails to adapt Ms Le Pen and the Front National will come back even stronger in 2021, when pro-EU forces may no longer be strong enough to keep them out of power. Mr Macron said French people were “angry and impatient” with the current state of the EU project and would not give Brussels long to prove it was snot “dysfunctional and no longer viable”. Pressed on whether he would pursue the status quo set by My Hollande, he replied he would not and said: “And I don't want to do so. Because the day after, we will have a Frexit or we will have the National Front (FN) again.”

Shocking riots in Paris during the French presidential election Mon, April 24, 2017 Demonstrators clash with riot police after partial results in the first round of 2017 French presidential election, in Paris Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 12 A member of feminist activist group Femen is detained by a police officer as they protest against French presidential election candidate Marine Le Pen