Mr. Le Pen, 71, who was found guilty of assaulting a female Socialist official, said he would fight the ruling.

But this time, Mr. Le Pen said, he expects to win.

Mr. Le Pen said he cast a blank ballot today.

"His attitude is a scandal," Mr. Le Pen said in a half-hour television interview.

Mr. Le Pen also said he would end immigration and give French citizens priority for jobs and housing.

Mr. Le Pen said those policies would make France extinct.

Mr. Le Pen has said some two million immigrants should be expelled.

"The people of France have decided to use their power to shake up the current system," Mr. Le Pen said.

"This plays a little in his favor," Mr. Le Pen said.

"I think that is what the French people want," Mr. Le Pen said.