Le Pen increases first round lead in French election - poll

Emmanuel Macron, (R) head of the political movement En Marche !, or Onwards !, candidate for the 2017 presidential election, and Francois Bayrou, French centrist politician and the leader of the Democratic Movement (MoDem), arrive for a news conference after sealing their alliance for the presidential campaign, in Paris, France, February 23, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

PARIS (Reuters) - France's presidential race took a new turn on Thursday as independent Emmanuel Macron raised the curtain on a partnership with veteran centrist Francois Bayrou to help him beat the far-right's Marine Le Pen.

"Political times have changed. We cannot continue as before. The National Front is at the gates of power. It plays on fear," Macron said, referring to Le Pen's once-shunned party.