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Nathalie Loiseau, head of list LaREM in the European elections, April 4, 2019 in Paris. REUTERS / Christian Hartmann

First trip to Brittany Friday for the former Minister of European Affairs since the controversy over her candidacy on a far right list, when she was a student at Sciences Po.

With our special correspondent in Brest, Julien Chavanne

A meeting with fishermen from Lorient in the morning. A tour of a hydro-oil company in the afternoon. Attacks against Marine Le Pen. April 26th was a normal day for Nathalie Loiseau.

Or almost. " We attack people who disturb. And I have the feeling that today we disturb a little bit those who had got used to comfortable positions. Attacked because we disturb, maybe also attacked because we are in the lead. So, it's not very pleasant, but I have a character that makes it makes me even more combative and determined, it gives me even more desire to win. "Faced with 200 people wisely installed in a circle around her at a public meeting in Brest, Nathalie Loiseau quickly evacuates the controversy.

► On a list of extreme right in 1984, Loiseau admits a "mistake of youth"

In private, she confides - always angry - that there is " nothing more difficult than having to justify oneself on what one is not ". In the room, supporters close the ranks behind their list head. " It's a totally ridiculous polemic. It has certainly not been well defended, but the controversy is ridiculous, "says this man," unfortunately it is part of it, now, and we know it, in all the campaigns ... ", tries this other spectator.

After several false starts, Nathalie Loiseau wants to resume the thread of his campaign, even if it ensures in small committee " never to have lost the hand, not a single second ".

Before minimizing the impact of the controversy: " It is difficult for all candidates to talk about the substance, because the French have not yet entered the campaign ." She concludes in front of her supports: " Believe in us and vote for us ".

A month to mobilize, a month to convince, a month to carry our ambition: that France again become the winner of Europe, and that Europe regains control of its destiny.

Thank you to the Brestois for their welcome tonight! #Renaissance pic.twitter.com/cnW3L9BH7A

Nathalie Loiseau (@NathalieLoiseau) April 26, 2019