ABC News Video Live Shows Coronavirus Jan. 6 Riot ____________________ Submit Interest Successfully Added We'll notify you here with news about Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? [ ] OffOn French far-right chief lays out plans for presidential race French far-right leader Marine Le Pen says she will stick with her strategy of making her party a more mainstream political force despite a stinging loss in regional elections ByThe Associated Press July 4, 2021, 4:56 PM • 2 min read (BUTTON) Share to Facebook (BUTTON) Share to Twitter (BUTTON) Email this article FILE - In this June 17, 2021 file photo, far-right leader Marine le Pen looks on during a press conference in Toulon, southern France. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is coming under biting criticism from current and former supporters for takin Image Icon The Associated Press FILE - In this June 17, 2021 file photo, far-right leader Marine le Pen looks on during a press conference in Toulon, southern France. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is coming under biting criticism from current and former supporters for taking her anti-immigration National Rally too mainstream, with some suggesting the strategy could cost her next year's presidential race. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File) PARIS -- French far-right leader Marine Le Pen says she will stick with her strategy of making her party a more mainstream political force despite a stinging loss in France's regional elections, and that tactic will carry her into next year's presidential race. Le Pen, 52, was reelected Sunday as the head of the National Rally at a party gathering in the southern town of Perpignan. Her anti-immigration party failed to win any of mainland France’s 12 regions in last week's vote — raising criticism about Le Pen's strategy. Some members deplored her choice to tame the party's extremist edge and accused her of ignoring grassroots members, warning this could cost her votes. In her speech, Le Pen instead praised the “healthy and necessary development” of the party and said there will be no return to the National Front, the former name of the party that was changed in 2018. The rebranding was part of a broader strategy to revive the nationalist movement after her defeat by centrist Emmanuel Macron in France's 2017 presidential race. Le Pen also confirmed she would be a candidate in France's 2022 presidential election. Polls show she is in a position to reach the runoff, possibly facing Macron again. “That victory, we’re going to go out and get it,” she said, calling the 2022 presidential vote a “historic choice.” “The sole alternative to globalization is nation,” she said. “We have the ambition to restore order in France.” The far-right leader also issued a broad attack on the European Union, which many nationalists believe has overstepped its powers. “I cannot repeat it enough, sovereignty is to nations what freedom is to men. We want to be able to decide, by ourselves, our commitments, our laws, our way of life," she said. Jordan Bardella, 25, was named the party's first vice president. Le Pen said he will lead the party during her presidential campaign. (BUTTON) Comments (0) (BUTTON) Share to Facebook (BUTTON) Share to Twitter (BUTTON) Email this article __________________________________________________________________ ABC News __________________________________________________________________ Top Stories Tsunami advisory issued for US West Coast, Alaska 3 hours ago 6 hospitalized, 1 in critical condition, after shooting at concert Jan 15, 7:09 AM Volcano erupts in Pacific, West Coast under tsunami advisory 1 hour ago Officer shoots man in custody after emergency room scuffle Jan 15, 8:10 AM 6 people shot outside Oregon concert; suspect not in custody Jan 15, 8:13 AM ABC News Live ABC News Live 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events ABC News Network Privacy Policy Your CA Privacy Rights Children's Online Privacy Policy Interest-Based Ads About Nielsen Measurement Terms of Use Do Not Sell My Info Contact Us Copyright © 2022 ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.