French bombshell Brigitte Bardot, now 82-years-young, urged her fellow countrymen to vote for National Front candidate Marine Le Pen in the French presidential election, saying that rival Emmanuel Macron has contempt for animals and reminisced about her father, who passed on to her a patriotic love for France.

French star Brigitte Bardot supports Marine Le Pen in the Presidential election. [Image by Hulton Archive/Getty Images] Featured image credit: Hulton Archive Getty Images

Bardot released a statement that was highly critical of the En Marche! party candidate, Emmanuel Macron, who is the popular front-runner to win in Sunday’s election.

“The contempt he gives to animal suffering can be seen in the total lack of empathy reflected in the coldness of his steel eyes.”

Emmanuel Macron has not been able to escape the widely held criticism that he is a puppet in the pocket of banks and financiers, not even from the former sex symbol.

“Whilst the scandals are increasing, he takes the side of the animal breeders and the hunters against animal rights associations that are fighting with the lobbies that seem to have power over this candidate.”

The French actress has been retired since the 1970’s and occupies her retirement as an animal rights activist. She was wildly successful in her prime, acting in almost 50 films and receiving several important awards. She was called the most liberated woman in post-World War II France. Brigitte Bardot was the official face of Marianne, also known as the Goddess of Liberty, the most recognizable symbol of the French Republic. Of course, she was universally known for her sensual on-screen presence.

Brigitte Bardot is now a champion for animal rights. [Image by Kael Alford/Newsmakers] Featured image credit: Kael Alford Getty Images

After her retirement, Bardot became a dedicated animal rights activist. She used her fame to champion the rights for animals all over the world. She has fought this mission for over 40 years.

She has also been fined multiple times for making comments critical of Islam. Europe has strict laws against hate speech and citizens can be fined, even jailed, for making comments that are judged to incite racial hatred. Europe is also undergoing a cultural crisis as it accepts thousands of refugees from war-torn Middle Eastern countries. France itself has experienced the bloodiest terrorist attacks in Europe, notably coordinated attacks with illegal weapons. French citizens are not allowed to own guns. This perfect storm of conflict has some calling for the drastic change. National Front leader Marine Le Pen built her campaign on it.

Brigitte Bardot skirted yet another fine with comments that focused on the current state of France.

“We live in a period when everything is vulgar, ordinary, and mediocre. France no longer has the radiance, the majesty it had.”

She talked at length about the patriotic feelings her father instilled in her. Feelings of patriotism and nationalism have been inextricably linked to Nazism in many political debates, and some voters are reluctant to elect Le Pen due to this association.

“I am very patriotic. I was raised by a father and a grandfather who fought for France and instilled in me a love of my homeland. I am not proud of what France is today… I’m not a ‘facho’ [fascist], any more than Marine Le Pen is.”

If Marine Le Pen is elected, she will be the first female president of France. This fact has been largely glossed over by feminists, some who protested topless against her.

“Marine Le Pen has the will to take France in hand, to restore borders and give priority to the French.”

This is the first time the National Front party has made it this far in the election cycle, and the first time France could elect a female President. Yet, Emmanuel Macron leads in the polls by an estimated 20 points. Brigitte Bardot is a vocal supporter for Marine Le Pen and married to a former National Front party adviser.

[Featured Image by Keystone Features/Getty Images]