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Politics

French far-right leader Le Pen kicks off presidential campaign

We’ve just been listening to Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally and its presidential candidate, delivering her first official campaign speech in Orléans. She spoke of what she called a “renaissance” for France and the dawn of a new era. She also condemned what she described as “Islamist ideologies” that promote violence, saying they are incompatible with France. Our reporter Antonia Kerrigan was listening in Orléans and joins us now with more.

France: Le Pen seeks to leverage unrest in presidential campaign kick-off

Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally, addressed some 10,000 supporters on Sunday in the city of Orleans as she kicked off her presidential campaign, a day after nationwide cost-of-living protests flared again into violence. Le Pen, the frontrunner, is seen to be benefiting in the polls from the weeks of unrest. Lecturer in Liberal Arts at Queen Mary University of London, Andrew Smith, shares further analysis.

France: 110.000 protesters in Paris

Hundreds of demonstrations took place across France on Saturday over the rising cost of living, with security forces deployed in large numbers to prevent a repeat of the violence seen last weekend. While the marches themselves “passed off well” in several cities, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said members of “ultra-left” groups threw projectiles and fireworks at police in an attempt to provoke clashes. French Communist Party spokesperson Fatima Khallouk shares more details.

French far-right leader Le Pen seeks to leverage unrest in presidential campaign kick-off

Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally, addressed some 10,000 supporters on Sunday in the city of Orleans as she kicked off her presidential campaign, a day after nationwide cost-of-living protests flared again into violence. Le Pen, the frontrunner, is seen to be benefiting in the polls from the weeks of unrest.

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France: Le Pen launches presidential campaign in Orleans

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is launching her presidential campaign today. The National Rally candidate is due to deliver her first campaign speech in Orléans, addressing around 10,000 party members. Police were controlling traffic entering the city this morning, following a large anti-far-right demonstration on Saturday, where thousands of protesters marched chanting anti-fascist slogans.

Presidential runoff under way in Brazil

Brazil is also heading to the polls today for a run-off vote that will decide who leads the country. The race is on a knife edge between incumbent left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio scored a major upset in the first round earlier this month, taking the lead in the vote. The campaign has been dominated by corruption scandals, economic difficulties and allegations of US interference, which Washington has denied. France 24 correspondent Jan Onoszko reports the latest from Rio de Janeiro.

Le Pen leads polls with up to 38% six months before election

The day after the first day of the National Rally congress in Orléans, in central France, passed without any major incidents, Marine Le Pen is due to deliver her first major campaign speech on Sunday afternoon, 25 October, under heavy police surveillance. The speech, centred on the theme of renewal, aims to inject a dose of optimism six months ahead of the presidential election, the candidate has reportedly said in private. Gilles Ivaldi, a political science researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Nice, explains that the violence following

West Bank: Families forcibly displaced in Hebron

More Palestinian families have been displaced in the occupied West Bank as Israeli forces continue operations in Hebron, following a deadly shooting that killed two Israeli soldiers on Friday. With elections scheduled for Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a heavy response to the attack. Morgaene Ayre has the latest.

Obama hits campaign trail for democrats

With less than two weeks to go before the US midterm elections, former President Barack Obama has hit the campaign trail, rallying support for Democratic candidates in the key states of Michigan and Ohio. He criticised the Trump administration, blaming the White House for rising living costs, a major concern for voters. Democrats are hoping to regain control of Congress, with polls showing several closely contested races. Ophelie Jacobson has more.

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Israel: Demonstrators rally against government ahead of election

In Israel, the anti-Netanyahu movement is mobilising. Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Friday to protest against the Israeli government, just three days ahead of a general election widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Polls open in Brazil presidential runoff

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and sight-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro faced off Friday in their second and final debate ahead of Sunday's presidential runoff election. The two candidates repeated their campaign proposals, focusing on the cost of living and security, while exchanging ⁠allegations of corruption. France 24 Jan Onoszko telles us the latest from Rio de Janeiro.

Far-right leader Le Pen says visible policing keeps protests smooth

Meanwhile, France’s far-right National Rally is holding the second day of its party congress in Orléans, south of Paris. Marine Le Pen is expected to officially launch her presidential campaign in a speech later this afternoon, while Jordan Bardella is being re-elected as party leader. On Saturday, a large counter-demonstration against the far right was held in the city. Our reporter Antonia Kerrigan has been following the latest developments.