In his speech that lasted about an hour and a half, Zemor said, “If I win this election, it will not be another rotation of power, but a re-conquest of the greatest country in the world.”
He said he was calling his party the “Reconquest”, a name that dates from the historical period known as the Reconquista, when Christian forces drove Muslim rulers from the Iberian Peninsula.
With echoes of Donald Trump’s first campaign for US president, Zemor promised to reduce immigration and taxes, which organizers had put at 15,000, to the cheer of flag-waving supporters. A Reuters count put their number at around 10,000.
Supporters of Zemor, wearing anti-racism T-shirts, throw punches and chairs at protesters trying to stand on chairs, as Zemor delivers his first speech since announcing his candidacy. Five protesters were injured, their union later said.
Separately, as Zamour walked from the middle of the crowd to the stage to deliver his speech, a man held his throat before security could tackle him and was later taken into custody by the police.
As Le Monde newspaper reports, although Zemor gave his speech, his team later said that he was injured in the incident and that a doctor had ordered nine days of rest.
Before the rally began, police arrested several dozen anti-Zamour protesters and dispersed others near the sprawling convention hall north of Paris. Hundreds of protesters also marched in Paris.
The former journalist and commentator put an end to speculation about the presidential race by announcing his candidacy in an online video on Tuesday.
Zemor, convicted of inciting racial hatred, is the main challenger to long-term far-right Marine Le Pen for a spot in the second run-off round of next April’s election, most likely against President Emmanuel Macron. Is.
Known for his inflammatory statements against Islam and immigration, he has found support from Le Pen’s voter base, but also from the mainstream conservative right.
He said his goal is to bring immigration down to zero if elected and cut taxes for the working class and companies while eliminating the inheritance tax on family businesses. He also said that he would pull France out of the unified military command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Zemor described disillusioned supporters of traditional conservatives as his “friend” right-winger Eric Ciotti, who performed better than expected in the primary election of the center-right Les Republicans for the Conservatives’ candidate.
Ciotti eventually lost in a run-off vote on Saturday to the more moderate head of the greater Paris region, Valerie Pécrés.
At a short political rally, radical-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon told supporters: “No, France is not all about the far-right, France is also about social security, public health.”
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