Le Pen launches campaign with a promise of security: she will strengthen borders and deport foreign criminals

Marine Le Pen has officially launched her campaign for next year’s French presidential election, pledging to restore order and trust in the country. The far-right leader said national security would be among the state’s chief responsibilities.

Describing the moment as the end of a political era, Le Pen addressed her opponents: “We are not living at the end of the world, but at the end of a world—their world.”

She delivered her first campaign speech in Orleans, the city where Joan of Arc was born, a figure nationalists regard as a symbol of patriotism and sovereignty. Speaking to supporters, Le Pen promised “zero tolerance” and called restoring security a primary duty of the state.

Last weekend’s protests, sparked by the cost of living and inequality, were accompanied by unrest, looting and vandalism. The events appear to have strengthened Le Pen’s position: a poll published today gives her 32–33.5% support, nearly twice the 17% recorded for left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The figures suggest voters are moving away from traditional parties and toward the extremes.

According to the polls, Le Pen would easily defeat Mélenchon in the second round, scheduled for early May.

If elected president, she has said she will form a government of “national unity” and “pluralism,” headed by Jordan Bardella, the president of RN.

Le Pen also set out her aim of making France “a nation of peace,” declaring that she would never send young people “to die in wars that are not ours.” She also wants the Constitution to include the “fundamental, inclusive and fraternal principle” of the “national community.”

“The state we want will not be RN’s, but will be a collective project, a project that is certainly patriotic but not partisan,” she said. Le Pen added that she intends “to recognize one people and one people only” through the “absolute rejection of communitarianism.”

“For us, there is only one community, the national community,” the candidate insisted.

The speech focused on national “rebirth.” Le Pen argued that France could become stronger if it embraced her vision of security and prosperity. “We say: things were good before; they will be better tomorrow,” she said.

On immigration, Le Pen promised to restore border controls, automatically deport foreign criminals and take action against gangs and drug traffickers. However, she may have to campaign while being monitored by an electronic tag following her conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds. She has appealed the court’s decision.

On the economy, she has proposed limiting government spending, cutting taxes for businesses and reducing bureaucracy, as well as supporting industry, innovation and artificial intelligence. She opposes any further increase in the retirement age.

Regarding Europe, Le Pen is not calling for France to leave the EU. She does, however, want to reduce Brussels’ influence, restore national control over borders and laws, and prioritize French interests.

The congress was intended to demonstrate unity within the party leadership. Jordan Bardella was re-elected its president, but his speech was interrupted by activists from a Jewish student union. They accuse him of allegedly making antisemitic comments in his youth.