Anti-fascist protesters rally as far-right party holds congress in Orléans

Between 13,000 and 26,000 anti-fascist demonstrators gathered in Orléans to protest the Rassemblement national congress, according to AFP. The city centre was barricaded and took on the appearance of a ghost town as authorities feared violent clashes similar to those of 17 October.

The French Interior Ministry deployed an exceptional security operation. A total of 2,000 additional CRS and mobile gendarmes were joined by 100 national police officers, 372 gendarmes, 350 firefighters and 65 Orléans municipal police. Armoured vehicles, cluster trucks and water cannon were requisitioned to seal off the commune.

“You see, we are not even in power yet and we are already producing effects!”

The statue of Joan of Arc was fenced off, floral decorations were removed, and public construction equipment was stored away. Orléans mayor Serge Grouard, a miscellaneous right official, imposed a curfew for minors under 15.

At the RN congress, Jordan Bardella was re-elected party president on Saturday. He was the only candidate and received 98.98 percent of the vote from more than 75,000 voters.

Marine Le Pen was scheduled to deliver her first campaign speech on Sunday, setting the tone for the party's presidential programme. The RN officially launched its election campaign over the weekend.

Security incidents marred the event. Two buses from the Solidarités sans-papiers collective were stopped on a motorway service area and checked by border and immigration police. RN security agents also forcibly removed Mediapart journalists from the hall after they were booed by the crowd, though the press service later apologised and allowed them back in.