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Marine Le Pen launches French presidential campaign in Orléans

Published

Le Pen opened her campaign at a rally on Sunday and promised to restore the rule of law. Organisers said 8,500 supporters attended. She spoke after a weekend of protests over the cost of living.

Le Pen promised to restore France's borders and to make French nationality a privilege. She also said she would cap household energy bills, reduce taxes and trim France's contribution to the EU. She accused President Emmanuel Macron's centrist government of being soft on violent protesters.

Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, pledged a crackdown on the "ultra-left". He also pledged to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 16. Le Pen wants a "national unity" government led by Bardella.

On Saturday, more than 400,000 people marched in major French cities over the cost of living. Police made more than 1,300 arrests after clashes. A separate demonstration against the party congress drew 13,000 people, according to the local council, and 26,000, according to organisers.

An Ipsos survey published on Saturday put Le Pen at 32 to 34 percent of first-round votes. Polls show her as the frontrunner to succeed Macron. She has made three unsuccessful presidential bids.

Key facts

Who
Marine Le Pen (French far-right leader launching a presidential campaign); Emmanuel Macron (President of France); Jacques Olivier (supporter, 65); Bardella (politician who pledged a crackdown on the 'ultra-left' and lowering the age of…)
What
Marine Le Pen launched her presidential campaign, describing France as wracked by unrest and decline.
When
26 October 2026
Where
France, Orléans, Orleans
Status
Reported

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