French presidential election candidate for the En Marche! movement Emmanuel Macron | Philippe Wojazer/AFP via Getty Images Macron to EU: Reform or face Frexit Emmanuel Macron said he is pro-European but that EU ‘dysfunction’ is no longer sustainable.

French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron said Monday that the EU needs to reform or face a Frexit.

In an interview with the BBC, the En Marche! leader told reporters that while he is pro-EU, the European project is in need of reform.

"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," he said.

"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. 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."

Macron also said that permitting the EU to continue functioning as it does would be a "betrayal" that would lead to France quitting the bloc.

The 39-year-old politician was branded a "pro-EU extremist" by his opponent Marine Le Pen at a campaign rally Monday. The National Front candidate has promised a referendum on France's membership in the bloc if elected.

According to the BBC's poll tracker, Macron is leading Le Pen by 20 percentage points. The second round of the French elections will be held on Sunday.