Le Pen launches presidential campaign in Orléans

Marine Le Pen launched her presidential campaign at a rally in Orléans on October 25, promising to restore order and national confidence as France faced weeks of protests and political tension. The National Rally leader cast her proposed program as a national renewal, while presenting herself as a candidate able to address security and economic concerns. Le Pen called security the state’s first duty and pledged zero-tolerance policing. She also said she would restore border controls, expel foreign criminals and oppose further increases in the retirement age. On Europe, she said she would reduce Brussels’ influence but did not advocate France leaving the European Union. An Ipsos survey cited in the reports put Le Pen at 32% to 34% in the first round, with left-wing rival Jean-Luc Mélenchon at 17%. The figures are polling estimates, not election results. The reports also described Le Pen as the frontrunner, but the campaign is taking place months before the vote. The rally came after demonstrations over the cost of living and other grievances, some of which were followed by clashes and vandalism. France’s Interior Ministry reported 1,314 arrests on Saturday, compared with 2,628...