France: Right-wing populist Marine Le Pen starts election campaign

Marine Le Pen officially launched her campaign for the French presidency at a National Rally party congress in Orléans, promising to restore order and national confidence. Amid recent unrest and protests, she emphasized the need for strict law enforcement and national sovereignty, advocating for reduced immigration and tax cuts for businesses. Le Pen, a frontrunner in the polls with around 32% support, aims to reclaim France's power and influence. Despite her legal troubles related to misappropriation of EU funds, she remains a strong candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, where incumbent Emmanuel Macron cannot run again. Jordan Bardella was re-elected as party leader, seen as Le Pen's preferred choice for Prime Minister.