France’s Marine Le Pen kicked off her campaign for next year’s presidential election on Sunday, telling thousands of supporters she would bring back law and order if she wins. The hard-right leader is the current front runner in the polls to succeed President Emmanuel Macron.
\n\nLe Pen’s timing is no accident. France has been shaken for weeks by mass protests over the rising cost of living, and some of them have ended in violence. On Saturday, more than 400,000 people marched in major cities. Groups of masked protesters broke away from the crowds and clashes followed, leading to more than 1,300 arrests. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said much of the violence came from “ultra-left” extremists.
\n\nA week earlier, similar nationwide protests also turned into unrest, with widespread looting and arson across France. Those marches came after four weeks of student demonstrations over the poor state of French schools. Unions and Yellow Vest protesters say they will keep marching in the weeks ahead.
\n\nThe 58-year-old, who has run for president three times before, said her plan was not a return to the past but “the dawn of a new era.” She promised to protect French culture, be it its language and…
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