In a recent turn of events, Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader in France, is showing increasing determination to attain the country's presidency. After two unsuccessful runs in 2012 and 2017, Le Pen has made it clear that she is not backing down. Instead, she is working hard to reshape her image, and that of her party, to appeal to a wider range of voters.
Le Pen has been involved in the rebranding of her party, previously known as the National Front, to the National Rally - a move aimed at distancing the party from its divisive past. She has also shifted the party's focus to issues such as immigration, national security and sovereignty, which resonate with many French citizens. However, her critics argue that the changes are merely cosmetic, and that the party's core far-right ideology remains intact.
Despite the controversy surrounding her and her party, Le Pen has managed to maintain a strong base of support. According to some polls, she is currently one of the front-runners in the upcoming Presidential election. However, the road to the presidency is still fraught with challenges. Many voters remain wary of Le Pen and her party, and her past losses suggest that she may struggle to gain the majority of votes required to win.
Nevertheless, Le Pen remains undeterred. She has stated that her goal is to be a president who protects, and she has positioned herself as a staunch defender of French values and identity. She has also expressed a desire to pull France out of the European Union - a move that would undoubtedly have significant implications for the country and the rest of Europe.
As the presidential election draws closer, it remains to be seen whether Le Pen's efforts to reinvent herself and her party will be enough to secure her a victory. Regardless of the outcome, Le Pen's rise to prominence signals a significant shift in French politics and reflects a growing trend of far-right movements across Europe.