Politics · France · 1 hr ago
Marine Le Pen launches 2027 presidential campaign amid protests
Marine Le Pen formally launched her campaign for France’s 2027 presidential election in Orleans on Oct.
25.
The far-right National Rally leader promised tougher policing, tighter immigration controls and a focus on French interests.
More than 10,000 people protested against her party in Orleans, while organizers and officials gave different estimates of the crowd.
The demonstrations also criticized President Emmanuel Macron and followed unrest over living costs and inequality.
A poll put Le Pen well ahead of her nearest rival, hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, though the election is still months away.
Le Pen has been convicted of misusing European Parliament funds and is appealing the verdict.
She says she would restore order and national confidence if elected, but the sources do not describe what comes next in her campaign.
Marine Le Pen formally launched her campaign for France’s 2027 presidential election in Orléans on October 25.
She promised to restore order and the rule of law, tighten immigration controls and increase security.
Her speech came amid protests over living costs and inequality, with recent demonstrations followed by looting and vandalism.
More than 10,000 people protested against her party in Orléans on Saturday, according to local authorities.
A poll published on October 25 put Le Pen at 32% to 33.5%, ahead of her nearest rival, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, on 17%.
- Who
- Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally, launched her presidential campaign.
- What
- She promised to restore order and the rule of law, and outlined policies including tougher immigration controls.
- When
- October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Orléans, France.
- Why
- She is seeking election as France’s president in 2027. She presented herself as best placed to address what she described as economic, social and security crises.
Marine Le Pen and the National Rally
Opponents of Le Pen and the National Rally
Security
Marine Le Pen and the National Rally
Le Pen promised “zero tolerance” policing and said restoring security was the state’s first duty.
Opponents of Le Pen and the National Rally
Protesters opposed her party’s nationalist and anti-immigration politics.
Immigration
Marine Le Pen and the National Rally
Le Pen pledged to restore border controls and take a harder line on immigration.
Opponents of Le Pen and the National Rally
Protesters marched against the National Rally and its anti-immigration policies.
Nationwide protests over living costs and problems in the education system were followed by unrest.
More than 10,000 people protested against the National Rally in Orléans, according to local authorities.
Le Pen formally launched her presidential campaign at a rally in Orléans.
An opinion poll put Le Pen at 32% to 33.5% and Jean-Luc Mélenchon at 17%.
- Campaign launch
- October 25, 2026, in Orléans
- Supporters at rally
- 8,500
- Orléans protest
- About 11,000 people, according to authorities; 26,000, according to organizers
- Opinion poll
- Le Pen: 32% to 33.5%; Jean-Luc Mélenchon: 17%
- Presidential election
- 2027
6 sources
REPORTAGE. "On a gagné la bataille des idées" : à Orléans, Marine Le Pen lance sa campagne dans une ville sous haute surveillance
France’s Le Pen vows to restore ‘rule of law’ at presidential campaign launch
France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen launches presidential bid as protests rattle the nation
France's Le Pen launches presidential bid as protests rattle the nation
Marine Le Pen vows to restore 'rule of law' at presidential campaign kickoff
Auch Macron steht in der Kritik: Zehntausende protestieren gegen Le Pens Wahlkampfauftakt
What people are saying
We are not living through the end of the world but the end of a world, their world
We are going to restore the rule of law
We will restore our borders, and even establish double borders, both French and European