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IS SHE DOING A FARAGE?

France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen swans up at Trump Tower just weeks after UKIP’s Nigel Farage did the same

CONTROVERSIAL Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right party Front National, set political tongues wagging when she was spotted drinking coffee in Trump Tower.

Le Pen, tipped to make the final round of the French presidential elections in May, broke off from a busy campaign schedule to fly unannounced to New York for what her party said was a “private visit”.

 Le Pen's party insists the trip to New York was a 'private visit'
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Le Pen's party insists the trip to New York was a 'private visit'Credit: Twitter
 Farage (L) seen in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York in December
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Farage (L) seen in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York in DecemberCredit: EPA

When quizzed, party officials refused to comment on whether or not she might be meeting the President-elect himself.

Le Pen was spotted with Louis Aliot, one of her party vice-presidents and reportedly Guido Lombardi,  a big Trump backer.

They were seen drinking coffee with two others in the basement of the landmark Trump Tower at around 11am on Thursday.

He held talks with Trump amid rumours he could be offered a role as a UK adviser.

However, asked whether she was there to meet Trump and whether she was there in a professional or personal capacity, she declined to answer.

Sean Spicer, a Trump spokesman, said Le Pen was not meeting with the President-elect, adding that Trump Tower was “open to the public”, a CNN reporter .

The Front National is cultivating a voter-friendly image but it's anti-immigrant stance would fit well with Trump's own policies.

Asked about the Republican's policies, she said: “I don’t model my policies on Donald Trump’s. I’m not answerable to Donald Trump’s internal US policies.

"I’ve only said that I approved his election because it seemed that his foreign policy proposals were favourable to  France. That’s the only thing that interests me.”

During the US election campaign, Le Pen had not spoken of any personal affinity with Trump, speaking more of her dislike of Hillary Clinton.

French polls show Le Pen could reach the final run-off of the French presidential election in May.

 

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