Marine Le Pen launches presidential campaign, vows to restore 'rule of law'

Far-right frontrunner addresses thousands in Orléans, promises security and national priority

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Updated25 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Marine Le Pen formally kicked off her presidential campaign on Sunday at a rally in Orléans, vowing a "rebirth of France" and to restore the rule of law as protests over the cost of living continue to roil the country. The National Rally candidate, currently leading the polls six months before the election, called for a "double border: French and European" and promised to expel foreign offenders.

Addressing thousands of supporters at the Zénith Centre in Orléans, Le Pen said she wanted to offer France "a alteration of course" which, in her words, is "not a revolutionary act but a normal breath of democratic life". She denounced the justice system under President Emmanuel Macron as too lax, asking: "Who can claim there is a rule of law when hordes come to ransack and burn our buildings, or carry out real raids in front of law-enforcement officers who have been deliberately disarmed, both materially and morally?" She referred to looting and clashes on 17 October on the fringes of cost-of-living protests.

National Rally president Jordan Bardella introduced Le Pen, attacking the government and accusing the hard-left party La France Insoumise of "fanning the flames of insurrection". His speech was briefly disrupted by members of a Jewish student union who unfurled a banner referencing a media report alleging he had deleted antisemitic messages from an old Facebook account. Bardella called on the crowd to sing the Marseillaise and not give publicity "to the far left, which hates democracy". The Union of French Jewish Students later posted on X that the banner read: "Bardella re-elected: racism and antisemitism do not bother the RN, quite the opposite."

The rally took place a day after the National Rally congress, where Bardella was re-elected party leader with 98.98% of the vote, formalising a division of roles: Le Pen runs for president, Bardella positions himself as prime minister. Le Pen has given up chairing the RN group in the National Assembly to focus on the campaign.

Outside the rally, security was heavy with 3,000 officers deployed. A peaceful demonstration by trade unions and left-wing parties drew 13,000 people, according to local authorities, or 26,000 according to organisers. The most recent round of cost-of-living protests brought between 410,000 and 800,000 people onto streets nationally, with 1,314 arrests. Trade unions and yellow vest protesters have pledged to continue demonstrations in the weeks ahead.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The French presidential election, scheduled for May 2027, could see a far-right victory for the first time in the Fifth Republic.
Le Pen's campaign focuses on security and national identity, tapping into public discontent over the cost of living and immigration.
Ongoing protests and social unrest suggest a tense pre-election period, with implications for EU policy on borders and sovereignty.

Background

Marine Le Pen is the long-time leader of the National Rally, a party formerly known as the National Front. She ran for president in 2017 and 2022, losing both times to Emmanuel Macron. The RN congress this week saw Jordan Bardella confirmed as party president, solidifying the duo's "winning ticket" strategy. Le Pen's conviction in a case of misuse of European Parliament funds had raised questions about her eligibility, but the court did not bar her from standing.

Key Perspectives

Marine Le Pen: Promises a "rebirth of France", a stronger justice system, expulsion of foreign offenders, and national priority on borders. She says France "will not send" its young people "to die in reckless or irresponsible military adventures, and even less in wars that are not ours". Jordan Bardella: accuses the hard-left La France Insoumise of "fanning the flames of insurrection", arguing his party is "the only option capable of restoring order and bringing back authority". Union of French Jewish Students (UEJF): through a banner at the rally, it alleged that "racism and antisemitism do not bother the RN, quite the opposite," referencing a Mediapart report about antisemitic messages attributed to Bardella.

What to Watch

Continued cost-of-living protests: trade unions and yellow vests have pledged further demonstrations, which could escalate as the campaign intensifies.
The Mediapart revelations: further reporting or legal action regarding the alleged antisemitic messages could affect Bardella's standing and the RN's electoral prospects.
The election date in May 2027, with LePen's current poll lead facing potential erosion from other candidates or shifts in public opinion.

Sources

Le Pen Pitches Herself as France’s Unifier After Another Weekend of Protests · The Wall Street Journal
France's Le Pen vows to restore 'rule of law' if elected · RTÉ News
Marine Le Pen launches presidential campaign with vow to restore 'rule of law' · Euronews

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

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SupportedMarine Le Pen launched her presidential campaign at a rally in Orléans on Sunday.Euronews: “Far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen kicked off her campaign before thousands of supporters at her first campaign rally in the city of Orléans.”
SupportedLe Pen vowed a “rebirth of France” and to restore the rule of law.Euronews: “At a large rally in Orléans, the far-right frontrunner called for a “rebirth of France” and promised to restore “rule of law””
SupportedThe summary says Le Pen addressed thousands of supporters in Orléans.Euronews: “Addressing thousands of supporters of her nationalist, anti-immigration party Rassemblement National RN (National Rally)”
SupportedLe Pen promised greater security for French citizens.Euronews: “Among her priorities, should she win in May 2027, Le Pen is promising what she calls more security for French citizens.”
SupportedLe Pen called for a “double border: French and European” as part of her national-priority position.Euronews: “Marine Le Pen also argued for “national priority”, saying she wanted to restore “a double border: French and European”.”
SupportedLe Pen said she wanted to offer France “a alteration of course” that was “not a revolutionary act but a normal breath of democratic life”.Euronews: “she said she wanted to offer France “a alteration of course” which, in her words, is “not a revolutionary act but a normal breath of democratic life”.”
SupportedLe Pen asked, “Who can claim there is a rule of law when hordes come to ransack and burn our buildings, or carry out real raids in front of law-enforcement officers who have been deliberately disarmed, both materially and morally?”Euronews: ““Who can claim there is a rule of law when hordes come to ransack and burn our buildings, or carry out real raids in front of law-enforcement officers who have been deliberately disarmed, both materially and morally?” she said”
SupportedBardella accused La France Insoumise of “fanning the flames of insurrection”.Euronews: “accusing the hard-left party of “fanning the flames of insurrection””
SupportedThe student-union banner read, “Bardella re-elected: racism and antisemitism do not bother the RN, quite the opposite.”Euronews: “which read: “Bardella re-elected: racism and antisemitism do not bother the RN, quite the opposite.””
SupportedBardella was re-elected National Rally president with 98.98% of the vote.Euronews: “Bardella, the sole candidate for his post, was re-elected president of the National Rally with 98.98% of the vote.”
Partly supportedBardella positioned himself as prime minister without qualification.Euronews: “Marine Le Pen is being launched in the presidential race, while Jordan Bardella, strengthened at the helm of the RN, is positioning himself to become her prime minister in the event of victory.”
Partly supportedThree thousand officers were deployed outside the rally.Euronews: “3,000 members of the security forces and emergency services were deployed in Orléans over the weekend to maintain order.”