Far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen officially launched her campaign before thousands of supporters at her first rally in Orléans. Le Pen, currently leading in the polls six months ahead of the May 2027 vote, vowed to restore what she termed the 'rule of law' and criticized the current state of France under President Emmanuel Macron.
Addressing the crowd, Le Pen stated, "No one thinks we are stronger today than we were yesterday, nor that after ten years of Emmanuel Macron we are walking through a field of rose petals." She claimed, "Everyone in France agrees with us," drawing cheers from supporters waving French flags.
Among her key priorities, Le Pen promised increased security for French citizens, denouncing what she perceives as the failings of the justice system under Macron, which she described as "far too lax." She questioned, "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?" This was a direct reference to the looting and clashes that occurred on October 17 on the fringes of protests over the rising cost of living.
Le Pen further clarified her vision, stating, "The rule of law is not the law against the state," and pledged "certainty" that legal cases would be pursued, sentences carried out, and foreign offenders expelled. She also advocated for "national priority" and the restoration of "a double border: French and European," defending her sovereigntist stance. On international matters, without explicitly naming Ukraine, she vowed that France "will not send" its young people "to die in reckless or irresponsible military adventures, and even less in wars that are not ours."
The rally began with an introduction by Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, who openly attacked the government. Bardella asserted, "The French have seen a power that has fallen, that has given up, that has abdicated even the idea of protecting our compatriots," condemning the violence that erupted during recent social movements. He claimed his party "has appeared as the only option capable of restoring order and bringing back authority." Responding to chants of "Macron, resign," Bardella assured supporters, "Don't worry, he won't be long before he is going, it's planned and it's coming soon." He also targeted La France Insoumise (LFI) and its leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, accusing the hard-left party of "fanning the flames of insurrection," which he argued disqualified LFI "from aspiring to the highest offices of the state."
Bardella's speech was briefly interrupted by members of a Jewish student union who unfurled a banner. The Union of French Jewish Students (UEJF) later confirmed their activists displayed a banner reading: "Bardella re-elected: racism and antisemitism do not bother the RN, quite the opposite." This protest referenced Mediapart revelations concerning alleged antisemitic messages attributed to Jordan Bardella from when he was 18, accusations he rejects. In response to the interruption, Bardella urged people "not to give publicity to the far left, which hates democracy" and asked the crowd to sing the Marseillaise.
The Orléans rally followed the National Rally congress held the previous day under heavy police protection, where Jordan Bardella was confirmed as party leader. Bardella, the sole candidate for the position, was re-elected president of the National Rally with 98.98% of the vote. His re-election formalizes the division of roles within what is presented to voters as a "winning ticket": Marine Le Pen will run for president, while Bardella is positioned to become her prime minister should they win. Le Pen reiterated this plan in her Sunday speech, expressing her desire to form a "national unity" government led by Bardella.
Another outcome from the congress was Le Pen's decision to step down from chairing the RN group in the National Assembly to fully concentrate on her presidential campaign. MP Sébastien Chenu, a close ally, is taking over this role.
Organizers estimated the rally's attendance at 8,500 party supporters. Karine, an RN supporter, expressed her long-standing desire for Le Pen to become president, believing "the country is doing very badly today and I think she's the only one who can turn it around." She listed security, jobs, and housing as priorities, acknowledging "young people's distress" but criticizing their "behaviour" during cost-of-living demonstrations. Another attendee emphasized security and purchasing power, stating, "We are here to represent our country, France, to represent both the youngest and the oldest," and concluded, "In any case, it's the only party we haven't tried yet, so we want to try it." Le Pen later posted on X, addressing her supporters, "Some would have preferred you not to come," while commending the atmosphere at the Zénith Centre in Orléans.
The campaign launch took place amid heightened tensions across France. The most recent round of protests against the high cost of living, rising fuel prices, and lack of education funding saw between 410,000 and 800,000 people take to the streets, resulting in 1,314 arrests during sporadic clashes. On Saturday morning, a peaceful demonstration organized by trade unions and left-wing parties against the congress drew between 13,000 (local council estimate) and 26,000 (organizers' estimate) participants. On Sunday, police conducted vehicle checks at the entrance to Orléans, and a small unauthorized anti-fascist march of a few dozen people attempted to reach the convention centre. Over the weekend, 3,000 members of the security forces and emergency services were deployed in Orléans to maintain order, according to regional and county councils. Trade unions and yellow vest protesters have pledged to continue their demonstrations in the coming weeks, signaling a period of ongoing unrest leading up to the presidential election. Marine Le Pen, for her part, has accused Emmanuel Macron's government of lacking authority and "denying reality" in the face of the violence on October 17.
