Marine Le Pen launched her campaign for the 2027 French presidential election on 9 November 2026 with a policy platform centered on restricting immigration. During an interview with CBS's '60 Minutes', the candidate addressed the national approach to foreign arrivals. Le Pen stated that France cannot continue to accept large numbers of immigrants, noting, "France cannot continue to import the unemployed." Responding to questions regarding allegations of discrimination within the country, she defended the national record. She told the program, "France is the least racist country in the world." Her comments clarify the ideological focus for her upcoming bid, emphasizing a firm stance on border control and social integration as central issues for her 2027 electoral agenda.
Economic Arguments Against Immigration
Marine Le Pen linked her proposed immigration restrictions to the domestic labor market during her recent campaign launch. She asserted that the unemployment rate among foreigners residing in France currently stands at double the rate recorded for French citizens. Her argument posits that existing migration patterns place an unsustainable burden on the national social welfare system. By noting this statistical disparity, the candidate intends to frame her restrictive policy agenda as a necessary measure for economic stability. She maintains that prioritizing the employment of French nationals requires a significant reduction in the volume of incoming foreign workers. These claims serve as a primary component of her broader platform as she prepares for the 2027 presidential election.
Historical Stance on Citizenship
Marine Le Pen advocated for the elimination of dual citizenship during a 2014 interview with Europe 1. She argued that individuals holding dual nationality must select a single allegiance to maintain their status. During the interview, she stated, "You must choose, either you are Algerian or French, or Moroccan or French, but you cannot be both."
The candidate supported the French government’s policy in September 2021 to limit the volume of visas issued to nationals from Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. This move represented an effort by the state to restrict entry from those specific North African countries.
Le Pen extended her focus on foreign relations during her 2022 presidential campaign by proposing conditions for visa issuance and financial transfers to Algeria. She suggested that these administrative and economic mechanisms should be tied to the willingness of the Algerian government to accept the repatriation of its deported citizens. Her proposal sought to create a direct link between foreign aid or diplomatic cooperation and the return of individuals residing in France without legal authorization.
Additional policy measures were proposed by Le Pen in January 2025 regarding the status of irregular migrants. She demanded the implementation of stricter enforcement actions against individuals residing in the country without official documentation. She called for the cancellation of specific legal pathways currently available for the regularization of status for irregular migrants. These positions reflect a long-standing emphasis on modifying citizenship requirements and migration regulations as part of her political platform.
