French far-right leader Marine Le Pen set to kick off presidential campaign amidst nationwide unrest

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is set to kick off her presidential campaign in the city of Orleans on Sunday, addressing an estimated 10,000 supporters amidst a backdrop of nationwide unrest.

The National Rally leader's campaign launch comes just one day after cost-of-living protests flared into violence across France. The tumultuous demonstrations have been ongoing for weeks, with mass rallies and violent clashes reported on Saturday and the previous week.

Le Pen is currently leading in the polls as the frontrunner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in six months' time. Her campaign is likely to capitalize on the widespread discontent among French citizens, who are frustrated with rising living costs and a sense of economic insecurity.

The presidential election will be closely watched, with Le Pen's National Rally party seeking to tap into the frustrations of those disillusioned with the current government.

Protests against rising living costs have escalated across France, with over 400,000 people taking to the streets in major cities on Saturday. The demonstrations turned violent in some areas as groups of masked protesters broke away from the main crowds, leading to clashes with police.

The authorities made more than 1,300 arrests during the unrest, which followed a similar pattern to nationwide protests that took place a week earlier. Those demonstrations were sparked by four weeks of student protests over the state of France's schools and descended into violence as well.

As the country prepares for presidential elections, unions and Yellow Vest protesters have vowed to continue their street marches in the coming weeks. This has created a tense atmosphere ahead of the vote, with various groups vying for attention and support from disillusioned citizens.

Le Pen is set to address 10,000 members of her National Rally party in Orleans on Sunday, where thousands of counter-protesters have already gathered, chanting anti-fascist slogans. The city has been placed under police surveillance, with traffic into the area being filtered due to concerns over public safety.

Protesters in Orleans have been estimated to be twice as many as police reported, according to organisers of the demonstration.

One protester expressed concern about the potential consequences of a far-right government, noting that it could create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation beyond just implementing its policies.

The protester, a 35-year-old yoga teacher, emphasized that if the National Rally were to come to power, things would likely become much worse for many people in France.

A second anti-fascist rally has been scheduled for Sunday on the outskirts of Orleans, as tensions continue to rise in the city.

Le Pen's campaign promises include reducing household energy costs and trimming France's contribution to the European Union if she is elected.

The French government's efforts to manage the current unrest will be crucial in determining the outcome of the upcoming presidential election.

Macron's administration faces significant financial constraints due to France's already high debt and budget deficit, which exceed EU limits. This limitation on additional spending will likely influence the policies of whoever wins the presidency. The current economic situation adds an extra layer of complexity to the campaign.

Protesters are planning further demonstrations in the coming weeks, with the Yellow Vest movement calling for another day of action next Saturday. Meanwhile, the CGT union has announced plans to launch a campaign of strikes starting from November 5.