Putin's aim is to erode all European institutions

RIGA - In an interview with BNS, European Parliament Member Roberts Zile said that in case French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen triumphs in this weekend's run-off, more problems will arise between European national and institutions, which is the ultimate goal of Russian President Vladimir Putin to erode all European institutions.

The MEP points out that Le Pen's dislike towards the United States and NATO has been made quite clear, which is very worrying looking from a Latvian perspective.

He said that centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron will most likely win the French presidential run-off on Sunday, but added that he is concerned about Macron's celebrations after he won the first round of the vote, which could leave a negative opinion on his potential second round supporters, who might not go out to vote for him.

''If Macron is victorious, it will be interesting to follow along with the French National Assembly elections in June, because Macron does not have a political party behind a party behind him. It will be important who will be his new party's partners. The greater the margin of victory is against Le Pen, the greater his party could do in the National Assembly elections,'' Zile said.