14/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - French singer Francis Lalanne has begun campaigning for the European, elections in the South-East constituency, where he is number one on the list of the brand new Independent Ecologist Alliance (AEI), which was formed in March this year from the Mouvement écologiste indépendant (Antoine Waechter's MEI), Génération écologie (founded by Brice Lalonde) and France en action (Jean-Marc Governatori's movement). The AEI has already drawn up lists in five constituencies and, according to Le Figaro, intends to have a presence in all eight. Lalanne began his campaign in Marseilles, arguing for “a Europe of peoples where the people taken back the power seized by politicians”. If elected, he has promised to donate his MEP's salary to the Enfants de don Quichotte association, the aim of which is to provide housing for the homeless. (Y.P./transl.rt)