Live: French far-right leader Le Pen seeks to leverage unrest in presidential campaign kick-off
Summary
Marine Le Pen launched her presidential campaign in Orleans on October 25, as France faced renewed cost-of-living protests and street violence. The National Rally leader has criticized President Emmanuel Macron’s government over public order and is polling as a frontrunner ahead of elections expected in April and May 2027.Key Facts
- Le Pen was scheduled to address about 10,000 National Rally supporters in Orleans.
- More than 400,000 people marched in major French cities on Saturday to protest rising living costs.
- Clashes broke out after masked groups left the demonstrations, and police made more than 1,300 arrests.
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez blamed much of the violence on what he called “ultra-left” extremists.
- Police estimated that 13,000 people joined a Saturday protest against Le Pen in Orleans; organizers estimated twice that number.
- Le Pen has proposed capped household energy bills, tax cuts and reducing France’s contribution to the European Union to address living costs.
- Le Pen has criticized NATO and France’s support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
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