Le Pen begins French campaign with Trumpian tones

Marine Le Pen kicked off her bid for French president with a campaign, as the Financial Times says, that hopes to "capitalise on some of the same nationalist forces that swept US President Donald Trump to power last year."

Some of her campaign promises:

• France will control its borders and protect its national identity from immigration
• New negotiations with the EU to turn it into a "loose confederation of nations," and if that fails a vote on leaving the EU
• Lower taxes and higher welfare payments for working class
• "Intelligent protectionism" including a rejection of trade treaties

Why it might matter: Le Pen is projected to win the first round of voting in April but fall short in the final ballot the next month