Chirac asks left to help him defeat Le Pen

French President Jacques Chirac appealed today to left-wing voters, asking for their help to defeat National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen.

It was the first time Chirac has called on his traditional opponents to vote for him in Sunday’s presidential election run-off.

‘‘Today, it is a question of defending the values of the French Republic,’’ he said.

‘‘What I ask of this leftist voter is to follow his convictions and block the extreme-right. That is what is essential today.’’

Chirac also called on citizens to be ‘‘extremely responsible’’ during demonstrations against Le Pen which are planned for tomorrow.

‘‘In a democracy, political action does not take place in the streets,’’ he said. ‘‘It takes place in the ballot box.’’

Five separate demonstrations are planned for tomorrow.

They are expected to eclipse the daily protests against Le Pen’s far right, anti-immigration policies.

‘‘Nothing would be worse in the current situation, and worse, notably, for the ideas the demonstrators want to defend, than excesses that lead to violence and confrontation,’’ Chirac said.

More than 3,000 extra police officers will be on duty during the marches, and they will try to ensure that Le Pen’s followers do not mix with the anti-Le Pen protesters.

‘‘I hope that everyone will be extremely vigilant, extremely responsible,’’ Chirac said.

With a few exceptions, leaders across the political spectrum have asked the French to cast a vote for Chirac to make sure Le Pen does not repeat the surprise of the April 21 first-round vote and win the election.

Until today, Chirac had made no call of his own. While he did not directly ask for a vote for himself, he implied it.

Le Pen placed second in the first round, after Chirac, pushing Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin out of the contest. Jospin then announced his retirement from politics.