MARINE Le Pen has vowed to ban Muslim headscarves if she wins the French election – but Emmanuel Macron has warned she would spark a civil war. The two politicians clashed in a televised debate on Wednesday when Ms Le Pen denounced headscarves and defended her plans to stop them being worn in public. AFPMarine Le Pen has discussed her plans to ban all religious clothing in public like Muslim headscarves[/caption] The two politicians faced-off in a televised debate on WednesdayAFP French President Emmanuel Macron said the move could cause a ‘civil war’AFP She claimed she’s fighting radical Islam, “not carrying out a war” against their religion. Ms Le Pen said: “I’m telling it in a very clear manner: I think the headscarf is a uniform imposed by Islamists. “I think a great proportion of young women who are wearing it have no other choice in reality.” Mr Macron replied: “What you’re saying is very serious. You are going to cause a civil war. I say this sincerely.” Read more on the French election HERE COMES FREXIT France could be next to QUIT the EU, Macron warns LE PEN PORTRAIT All you need to know about French presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen. In a law that would be enforced like “wearing a seatbelt in a car”, Ms Le Pen wants to ban all religious clothing in public, including Jewish men from wearing the kippa. Mr Macron said France would be “the first country in the world to ban religious displays in public spaces.” ‘IN RUSSIA’S GRIP’ During the face-off, the French leader accused Ms Le Pen of being “in the grip of Russia”, claiming she made herself “dependent” on Vladimir Putin. Ms Le Pen’s National Rally party took a £8million loan from a Russian First Czech-Russian Bank in 2014. Most read in The Sun GRUMPY TRUMPY Moment Trump storms off Piers Morgan interview raging 'you're DISLOYAL' BALE STORM Real announce Bale is OUT of squad vs Osasuna but delete tweet moments later SHARING IS DARING Netflix warns it will CHARGE users who share their passwords 'SOULMATES' Tom Parker's tearful wife relives moment they met and their best day at funeral BABY ON WAY Towie star Nicole Bass expecting first child with mystery boyfriend ROYAL JIBE Eamonn Holmes takes swipe at 'sneaky' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle The 44-year-old accused Ms Le Pen, 53, was unfit to replace him due to the outstanding debt. Mr Macron said: “You don’t speak to other leaders, you speak to your banker when you speak to Russia, that’s the problem. “None of us went to seek financing from a Russian bank, and especially not from one that is close to power in Russia.” He also referred to his 2017 election run when he won his first term of office over Ms Le Pen. Mr Macron said: “You are not just talking about Russia, but your banker. It’s hardly surprising that Russia took part in the campaign to destabilise me in 2017.” She said her party had “no other choice” to take the overseas cash injection, claiming French banks would not lend to them. Ms Le Pen said she was a “free and independent woman”. She added: “I offer my solidarity and absolute compassion to the Ukrainian people in front of millions of viewers.” Read More on The Sun NEIGH IT AIN'T SO I have to knock down my £50,000 extension because of a nosey neighbour Results posted just hours after the face-off showed the incumbent head of state on 59 percent of the vote, and his far-Right rival on 39 percent, with 2 percent abstentions. A similar outcome in the final round of the 2022 presidential election on Sunday would see Mr Macron take his second five-year term of office. Survey results from Wednesday’s election show Mr Macron aheadAFP