Le Pen delivers fiery Orleans speech to revive rule of law and presidential bid

In the town hall of Orléans, France, Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally), delivered her first campaign speech on the 25th, declaring that if elected president, she would “restore the rule of law.” This address marks not only the beginning of her third presidential bid since 2017, but also a significant statement regarding the French political landscape. In her speech, Le Pen reaffirmed her firm stance on national sovereignty, immigration control, and judicial independence, adopting “the rule of law” as her core slogan in an attempt to respond to voters’ demands for governmental efficiency and legal transparency.

Le Pen’s political career is closely intertwined with her family background. The daughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the former National Front and a former presidential candidate, she was immersed in her father’s far-right political ideology from a young age. Since joining the National Rally in the early 2000s, she has progressively assumed key positions within the party. In the presidential elections of 2017 and 2022, she secured approximately 25% and 33% of the vote, respectively, advancing to the final round and demonstrating her influence among French right-wing voters. In previous campaigns, Le Pen has repeatedly emphasized the importance of “the rule of law” and “order,” using these principles as the blueprint for various policy proposals.

France is currently facing multiple political and social challenges. The Macron government has encountered voter dissatisfaction regarding economic reforms, labor market flexibility, and immigration policy adjustments, contributing to the frequent occurrence of social movements such as the “Yellow Vest” protests. Stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and widening social inequality have led many voters to lose confidence in the current political system. Le Pen’s slogan of “restoring the rule of law” targets this sentiment of disappointment, aiming to regain voter support through a tough stance on law and order.

In France, “restoring the rule of law” carries significance beyond a simple political slogan. The French Constitution regards the rule of law as the cornerstone of state governance, emphasizing judicial independence and human rights protection. In her speech, Le Pen hinted at strengthening judicial oversight and enhancing the independence of police and prosecutorial bodies, while also proposing stricter controls on illegal immigration. If implemented, these proposals could alter the balance of power between the French judicial system and executive authority, raising concerns regarding human rights and privacy. Scholars both domestically and internationally have expressed diverse views, with some worrying that an excessive strengthening of law enforcement could undermine public trust in judicial fairness.

Le Pen’s campaign strategy will have profound implications for both France and the European Union. If she succeeds in winning the presidency, France’s stance within the European Parliament and EU institutions may become more confrontational, particularly on issues of immigration, trade, and EU sovereignty. She has previously criticized the EU’s “collective responsibility” and “multilateralism,” advocating that France should reassess its national interests within the EU framework. Furthermore, if Le Pen implements tougher domestic rule-of-law policies, it may prompt other European nations to re-examine their own standards on the rule of law and human rights, further exacerbating internal divisions within Europe.

In conclusion, Marine Le Pen’s first campaign speech in Orléans is not merely a personal political declaration, but also a response to France’s current political and social issues. By making “restoring the rule of law” her central appeal, she seeks to reshape the image of law and order in the minds of voters. The path of the upcoming campaign will reveal whether she can translate this concept into concrete policies and secure victory in the 2027 presidential election. (Source: Central News Agency)