French far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused the French media of “campaigning hysterically” in favour of Emmanuel Macron, her centrist rival for the presidency, The Local reported.

Speaking at a rally in the western city of Nantes, she launched a series of attacks on the 39-year-old independent who has emerged as a frontrunner to become France's next leader.

In an attack that recalled US President Donald Trump's confrontation with journalists, she added: "The media have chosen their candidate. They are campaigning hysterically for their darling.”