Marine Le Pen launches fourth bid for French presidency

A blast of the national anthem to welcome the woman who wants to lead France. Some 10,000 supporters showed up in Orléans to watch Marine Le Pen launch her bid for France's top job. Often accused of spreading fear, the far-right national rally leader struck an optimistic tone. Our rebirth is in the will to draw from our history, the materials, the values, the principles that will allow us to invent the future, our future. I recall the principles that I will apply. In France, we will live like French people. Le Pen has a double-digit lead in polls over her likely left-of-centre rivals. That's despite a recent conviction for embezzling public funds, which she's appealing. It's Marine Le Pen's fourth shot at becoming French president. This time, she looks closer than ever to achieving that goal. Her backers say embracing Le Pen is France's only hope. She defended us against immigration, the high cost of living and insecurity. The situation is catastrophic. She's the only person who can get us out of it. Why not try someone new? And why not a woman? The far-right National Rally Party may be popular, but its policies are controversial. The party wants to cut some aid for Ukraine and prioritise French citizens for jobs and housing. In the past, they've also suggested a ban on Muslim women wearing headscarves in public. Ideas that prompted protests here in Orléans. Women can wear everything they like, even if it's short or a hijab or a miniskirt. That's their choice. The far right is anti-republic. It has an ideology against a large part of the French population. Scenes of less peaceful protests, like those in Paris last week, may also be giving the far right a boost. The national rally promised to crack down on crime and cut social benefits for families of looters. Our rule is those who break things must pay. And if they have to pay all their lives, they will. Le Pen's mission to catapult her party from the fringes to the centre of French power is well in motion. But the final decision on this country's political destination will be down to voters next April. Rosie Burchard, Aldo Zira, Orléans.