Le Pen: France has choice between fundamental Islam and independence

The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen says her country's next presidential election will be a choice between a "multi-cultural society... where fundamental Islam is progressing" and an "independent nation, with people able to control their own destiny". 

In an interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr, Le Pen said on Sunday that Donald Trump's US election victory heralds the "building of a new world," and that recent elections and referendums were victories "against the unfettered globalisation that has been imposed on us... and which today has clearly shown its limits," she claimed.

Le Pen described the Republican's win as a "victory of the people against the elite" and said she hoped a similar outcome could be achieved in French presidential elections in May.

"Clearly, Donald Trump's victory is an additional stone in the building of a new world, destined to replace the old one," she said.

Trump "made possible what had previously been presented as impossible," she said, predicting that the "global revolution" that resulted in his election, as well as in the vote for Brexit, will also see her elected as president.

"So if I can draw a parallel with France then yes I wish that in France also the people up-end the table, the table around which the elites are dividing up what should go to the French people.

Hailing the rise of "patriotic movements" in Europe, Le Pen drew parallels between the US vote, Britain's 23 June decision to leave the European Union, and France's rejection of the European constitution in 2005.

Le Pen's National Front party has called for the end of France's membership of the EU, has likened Muslims praying in the streets to the Nazi occupation of France and has warned that the country is in the grip of “creeping Islamisation”.

She told Marr the rise of nationalism in the West meant Europe needed to look after its own citizens and stop "taking in the poverty of the world".

"We are not going to welcome any more people. Stop, we are full up."

When asked if Muslims could be good French citizens, she said: "I don’t judge people based on their religion. But I judge them based on how they respect the French constitution.

"If some people refuse to comply with French law or our codes, our values, our lifestyles, then we will act."

She also said there was no reason for Europe to be scared of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We'd better, if we want a powerful Europe, negotiate with Russia, and have cooperation agreements with Russia, commercial agreements with Russia," she said, adding that it was the EU that was destabilising Europe, not Russia.

"The model that is defended by Vladimir Putin which is one of reason, protectionism, looking after the interests of his own country, defending its identity, is one that I like."

The interview sparked a backlash on social media as it fell on Remembrance Sunday, marking the contribution of British and Commonwealth forces during the two world wars.

It also came as France marked a year since the devastating attacks by the Islamic State on Paris, which killed 140 people.

"Some people are offended and upset that I have been to interview Marine Le Pen and that we're showing this interview on Remembrance Sunday," said Marr.

"I understand that but... Le Pen could, under some circumstances, become the next French president... I don't think that the best way to honour the fallen is to fail to report on the next big challenge to Western security."