Marine Le Pen (58), France’s far-right candidate to succeed President Emmanuel Macron, kicked off her campaign Sunday with a promise to “restore the rule of law” if voters elect her next year.

The nationalist, anti-immigration candidate addressed 8 500 supporters in Orléans, where Joan of Arc lifted an English siege in 1429. The far right reveres the historical figure as a symbol of national resistance.

“We are going to restore the rule of law,” Le Pen said, referring to the looting and arson that erupted during demonstrations last weekend.

Poll numbers show Le Pen leading the race. She appears to gain ground as France struggles through weeks of violent cost-of-living rallies.

“We are proposing for the country not a return to the past, but the dawn of a new era,” she told the crowd, which chanted “We’re going to win, we’re going to win.”

Supporters demand action on security

Le Pen promised to preserve France’s cultural identity, from its language and traditions to its values and way of life. Supporters waving French flags responded with thunderous cheers.

“We want France to regain its strength,” she added.

Charlene Malingre (23), wearing a scarf emblazoned with the words “Marine President”, said she worries about growing insecurity in France.

“I think Marine Le Pen could save France from the state it’s in today, particularly when it comes to the economy, security and maintaining law and order,” she told AFP.

Prime minister to meet student leaders

More than 400 000 people marched in major French cities on Saturday to protest against the rising cost of living. Clashes erupted after groups of masked protesters broke away from the demonstrations.

Police made more than 1 300 arrests. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez blamed much of the violence on “ultra-left” extremists.

Similar nationwide protests a week earlier also descended into unrest, following four weeks of student demonstrations over the poor state of France’s schools.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu will hold talks with high school student organisations this week, a leader of one of the groups told AFP.

“We hope the prime minister will satisfy our demands,” said Louis Letoublon, a leader of Les Lyceens.

The unions and Yellow Vest protesters have vowed to keep up their street marches in the weeks ahead.

Tough stance on immigration and borders

Le Pen decided to run in elections beginning in April, despite an appeals court upholding a graft conviction against her.

She has accused Macron’s centrist government of being soft on violent protesters and lacking authority.

“Who can claim that there is a rule of law when hordes come to ransack and burn our buildings?” she said.

The veteran candidate, who has run for the presidency three times already, also promised tougher immigration laws.

“We will restore our borders, and even establish double borders, both French and European,” she said.

“French nationality will once again become a privilege that is either inherited or earned.”

Her deputy, Jordan Bardella (31), received a standing ovation as he took to the stage ahead of Le Pen. He pledged a crackdown on the “ultra-left”, lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 16 and the deportation of “delinquents and criminals”.

Members of a Jewish student union briefly interrupted his speech. They unfurled a banner referencing a French media report alleging he had deleted antisemitic messages from an old Facebook account.

Counter-protests greet campaign launch

Police filtered traffic going into Orléans on Sunday, after thousands of counter-protesters opposed to Le Pen and her anti-immigration, nationalist RN marched in the city on Saturday chanting anti-fascist slogans.

“If the far right comes to power, we fear things will become much worse,” said Antonine Rochet (35), a yoga teacher, on Saturday.

If Le Pen wins the two-stage presidential elections in April and May, she has vowed to cut the cost of living through capped household energy bills, reduced taxes and trimming France’s contribution to the European Union.

She also criticises NATO and France’s support of Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.

French voters, angry over Macron’s perceived detachment over his two terms and his recent orders to curb the protests, are turning to more extremist politics, polling suggests.

An Ipsos survey published Saturday suggested Le Pen would win 32% – 34% of first-round votes.

The poll also found widespread anger over the unrest, with a majority believing that the government bears responsibility.

Whoever wins the presidency will face limited room for additional spending. France’s debt and budget deficit already sit above EU limits and Macron’s government struggles to push through a cost-cutting budget.

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