France, Le Pen Kicks Off Presidential Race: 'It's a Battle Against Decline'

Marine Le Pen has officially started her campaign to win the presidency. The National Rally leader chose Hénin-Beaumont, her long-standing political stronghold in northern France, to address supporters and outline the themes she plans to focus on during the presidential race.

In her speech, Le Pen used particularly strong language, framing the election as a pivotal confrontation for the country's future.

'We must fight against the forces of decline, against these harmful, destructive forces that, if we do not prevail, could lead from decline to downfall,' she declared to the supporters gathered in Hénin-Beaumont.

The National Rally candidate stressed the need for change in France: 'It's time to stop the downfall.'

Central to her political message is the call to national identity and the defense of the French way of life. 'For our culture, for our way of living, for our civilization, the presidential election is a battle we cannot afford to lose,' Le Pen added.

With her speech in her electoral stronghold, the RN leader launches a campaign aimed at portraying the presidential election as a crucial choice for France's identity and future, making the fight against what she terms the country's 'decline' a key pillar of her political platform.