By Salma El-Sakka
Far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has pledged to allow oil prospecting to resume on French territory if she wins the upcoming presidential election in May. During a speech to her National Rally party in Orleans, she criticized the 2017 law that banned new exploration permits for hydrocarbons and prohibited the exploration and extraction of shale gas.
Reversing the 2017 hydrocarbon ban
Le Pen, who referred to the existing legislation as the “stupid Hulot law,” aimed to abolish the restrictions originally implemented by former environment minister Nicolas Hulot. Her proposal, which favors expanding fossil fuel development alongside renewable energy, has been compared to the energy policies promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Campaign launch and political outlook
The nearly hour-long address served as the official launch of her presidential campaign. Le Pen utilized the platform to reiterate nationalist and anti-immigration themes, arguing that France must reinvent itself following the decline of traditional political parties. At 58, this marks her fourth attempt at the presidency.
As President Emmanuel Macron is constitutionally prohibited from seeking a third consecutive term, Le Pen is currently regarded as a leading candidate to succeed him. Her supporters at the Orleans meeting expressed strong enthusiasm for her candidacy throughout the event.
