13-09-2026
Marine Le Pen has launched her first major campaign event for France’s 2027 presidential election in Hénin-Beaumont, a National Rally stronghold, as the far-right party attempts to contain a series of controversies and reported internal divisions. Le Pen remains the leading candidate in first-round polling, with 34% of respondents saying they would vote for her in scenarios tested by OpinionWay for Les Échos on 8 and 9 September. However, her campaign has been affected by alleged tensions with Jordan Bardella, the National Rally president and a potential future prime minister.
Reports suggest the disagreement intensified after Le Pen considered giving her niece, Marion Maréchal, a more prominent campaign role. Bardella has publicly denied any conflict, describing his political and personal relationship with Le Pen as unbreakable. Nevertheless, the two figures appear to differ on economic and social policy, including pensions, protectionism and Le Pen’s proposal for a referendum on banning the wearing of the veil in public spaces.
The party is also divided over foreign policy. Vice-president Louis Aliot questioned continued military aid to Ukraine, prompting former prime minister Édouard Philippe to accuse the National Rally of serving Russian interests. Le Pen responded by highlighting Philippe’s previous contacts with Russian officials while in government.
A separate scandal involves a video showing municipal police officers in Carcassonne making racist, sexist and conspiracy-related remarks. The patrol leader had previously volunteered for the National Rally’s security service and accompanied Bardella at public events. Although the officer was expelled from the party and Bardella condemned the remarks, the incident has created another problem for the campaign. Le Pen’s return to her political base is therefore intended both to begin her presidential campaign and to demonstrate control amid disputes over leadership, policy and the party’s public image.
Entities: Marine Le Pen, Jordan Bardella, National Rally (RN), Hénin-Beaumont, France’s 2027 presidential election • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: analyze
13-09-2026
France 24 reports that Marine Le Pen has formally begun her campaign for France’s 2027 presidential election with a rally in Hénin-Beaumont. The launch comes despite her recent conviction and the fact that she is currently wearing an electronic monitoring tag, highlighting the legal difficulties surrounding her political ambitions. The article presents her campaign opening as an effort to maintain momentum and reinforce her position as a leading candidate.
International affairs editor Oliver Farry explains why Le Pen remains the frontrunner in opinion polls despite her weakened legal position. He identifies several factors supporting her continued strength: her long-established national profile, the appeal of the National Rally’s “national preference” agenda, and the inability of France’s left-wing parties to unite around a compelling presidential candidate. These dynamics allow Le Pen to remain politically competitive even as legal proceedings affect her public standing.
The report therefore focuses on the contrast between Le Pen’s legal vulnerability and her enduring electoral appeal. Her rally in Hénin-Beaumont, a significant location for her political movement, demonstrates that she is continuing to campaign openly and prepare for the 2027 contest. The article does not provide extensive detail about the conviction or the wider field of candidates, instead concentrating on the reasons behind Le Pen’s resilience in the polls. It also frames the election as one in which the fragmented left may struggle to offer a credible alternative to the far right. The coverage is primarily explanatory, examining the political conditions that have enabled Le Pen to remain a dominant figure in French presidential politics.
Entities: Marine Le Pen, France, 2027 French presidential election, Hénin-Beaumont, FRANCE 24 • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: analyze
13-09-2026
Marine Le Pen has formally launched her campaign for France’s 2027 presidential election, presenting her long-standing “national priority” policy as a central promise. Speaking in Henin-Beaumont, a northern French town considered a stronghold of her National Rally party, Le Pen said French citizens would receive priority over foreigners in access to rights and public resources.
Le Pen, 58, is seeking the presidency for the fourth time. Addressing approximately 2,000 supporters, she said that French people would have “priority in their own country” regardless of skin colour, religion or origin. She also argued that French nationals should have “more rights in France than others,” framing the policy as a natural and fair principle practiced by other countries.
The proposed national-priority system would apply to housing, with Le Pen promising preferential access for French citizens to social housing. The campaign launch also highlights her broader pledge to give French people priority in benefits and other areas of public policy, although the article provides few further details on how the system would operate.
Jordan Bardella, leader of the National Rally, attended the speech and sat in the front row. Le Pen currently appears to have her strongest electoral prospects to date: opinion polls reportedly place her well ahead in the first round and show her as a serious challenger to any opponent in the runoff. The speech therefore marks an important early statement of her platform, centered on immigration-related distinctions in access to housing, benefits and national resources. The article presents her claims and political standing without endorsing them, while emphasizing the significance of her fourth bid for the Élysée Palace.
Entities: Marine Le Pen, Jordan Bardella, National Rally, France, Henin-Beaumont • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
