French far-right leader Le Pen seeks to leverage unrest in presidential campaign kick-off

Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally and frontrunner in the upcoming presidential race, officially kicked off her campaign on Sunday by addressing approximately 10,000 supporters in the city of Orléans. Her campaign launch followed a day of nationwide cost-of-living protests that had flared into violence. Analysts indicate she is seeking to leverage the ongoing unrest to bolster her political position.

During her inaugural official campaign speech, Le Pen spoke of a "renaissance" for France and the dawn of a new era. In addition to addressing domestic economic concerns and public demonstrations, she condemned what she described as Islamist ideologies.