In a rural town south of Paris, far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen delivered a simple message to local farmers: Russia's war in Ukraine means the price of feed, fertilizer and staple goods will keep rising unless the French government acts.
An economic nationalist, Le Pen told them as president she would block European sanctions on Russian oil and gas to contain energy price increases. She said she would scrap VAT on salt, cooking oil and dozens of other goods to dampen the surging rate of inflation and protect household incomes.
For a presidential challenger who prior to the war had been an open admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia might be sensitive ground to tread on. But her focus on the cost-of-living consequences is resonating with many voters for whom foreign policy has little bearing on whom to vote for.