Marine Le Pen slams Europe ahead of EU elections, centre-right parties slam her

The leader of the Far-right Front National used a political rally on Sunday to take a fresh dig at the European Union, accusing it of crippling France's economy. She vowed to bring back the franc if elected on May 25. Polls give her a five point lead in front of the right-wing UMP party.

Front National president Marine Le Pen during a campaign meeting in Lens, northern France, on May 17, 2014 AFP PHOTO/Philippe Huguen

There wasn't a blue flag to be seen anywhere, at least not a European one. During a campaign meeting on Sunday ahead of EU elections, a combative Marine Le Pen lashed into Europe calling it a "monster."

"The European Union confines us in an absurd monetary policy and prevents economic patriotism," she blasted. Speaking in front of a roomful of supporters, she pleaded for the creation of a national currency to "loosen the straightjacket of the euro."

"Not only are Europe's austerity measures senseless and unfair, but they've done nothing to reduce the unemployment of French people." Le Pen also blamed the EU's "laxism" in controlling immigration.

But Europe wasn't her only target. The right-wing UMP also came under fierce criticism, accused of "betraying the nation, and forgetting French citizens."

Despite her rant, Le Pen did say she was taking the European elections "seriously". Polls give her a five-point advantage in front of the UMP in elections on May 25.

However at another political rally on the same day, centre-right party leaders denounced Le Pen's euroscepticisim. Former leader of UDI (Democratic Union of Independents) Jean-Louis Borloo said in a video, that "people who don't believe in Europe shouldn't go to Europe."

And defeated presidential candidate François Bayrou and leader of Modem (Democratic Movement) said "you have to love Europe and not give up on it. We want to build, not destroy," he concluded.