Key facts
- Le Pen pitched herself as a protector of France amid social unrest and a looming debt crisis.
- She promised to restore public order, strengthen borders and expel undocumented migrants.
- Le Pen aims for a "real change in power" rather than a "revolution."
- France faces cost-of-living protests, budget difficulties, and spiraling debt and deficit.
- Le Pen leads polls with 32% to 33.5% support, ahead of Edouard Philippe (16%) and Jean-Luc Mélenchon (15%).
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen formally launched her presidential campaign on Sunday in Orléans, promising to restore order and national confidence amid widespread protests and crises. Polls show her leading with 32% to 33.5% support, well ahead of her nearest rival, hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
Le Pen, who has worked to broaden her party's appeal, pledged "zero tolerance" policing, hard-line immigration policies, and economic measures including spending restraint and lower business taxes. She sought to reassure voters hesitant about supporting her party, portraying herself as a guardian of France rather than an anti-establishment radical.
The country is grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, difficulties adopting a state budget, and spiraling debt and deficit, which has pushed France's borrowing costs above 5% for the first time since 2002. Le Pen's rally was held under high security, with thousands of supporters gathering amid ongoing protests across the country.