Thousands Protest National Rally Congress in Orléans

Thousands of people gathered in Orléans on Saturday to protest against France’s far-right National Rally (RN), which was holding its national congress ahead of Marine Le Pen’s planned 2027 presidential campaign launch. The demonstration was supported by around 50 political parties, trade unions and associations, which described their cause as opposition to “racism, fascism and imperialism.” Among those attending were Bally Bagayoko, the La France insoumise mayor of Saint-Denis; Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure; and CGT trade union chief Sophie Binet. Authorities had anticipated between 20,000 and 30,000 demonstrators. Bagayoko said protesters wanted to show the far right they were not afraid and rejected claims that the demonstration aimed to provoke violence. He said they were defending freedom and democratic values, accused the RN of spreading hateful rhetoric, and criticised President Emmanuel Macron for not doing enough to curb the party’s influence. He also linked the spread of hate, particularly on social media, to a deadly attack in Trappes on Friday. One person was killed and five injured; authorities are investigating an alleged racist motive. Security was extensive, with nearly 3,000 police officers and gendarmes deployed amid fears of clashes. Armoured vehicles, helicopters and drones were mobilised, businesses boarded up their windows, and public transport was suspended. Orléans mayor Serge Grouard imposed a weekend nighttime curfew for children under 15. The RN expected thousands of supporters at its two-day congress. Party president Jordan Bardella was expected to secure another term, and a rally on Sunday was set to mark the launch of Le Pen’s campaign. The article also reports allegations by journalists that event security staff checked whether female journalists were wearing bras, apparently to identify possible FEMEN activists. The rival gatherings took place during a wider weekend of protests over living costs, public services and government policies, with security forces on alert following recent unrest.

France 24 reports that Marine Le Pen, described in the article as a far-right candidate, is due to officially launch her presidential campaign during a two-day National Rally party congress in Orléans. The congress is scheduled for the weekend, and thousands of supporters are expected to attend. The report says local authorities have put exceptional security measures in place while anti-far-right demonstrations are taking place in the city. The item is presented as a short video report, issued on 24 October 2026, with video by Eliza Herbert. Its focus is the simultaneous presence of a major political gathering and protests opposing the far right, as well as the security response by local authorities. The supplied text provides no further detail about the scale or route of the demonstrations, any incidents, police operations, or statements from protesters, officials, or party representatives. It therefore establishes the setting and immediate context without describing what happened at the protest in depth.

Thousands of anti-fascist protesters marched in Orléans on Saturday, October 24, opposing a congress held by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN). According to the report, demonstrators criticised both Le Pen and French President Emmanuel Macron, chanting slogans and carrying banners against the far right. The march took place amid renewed demonstrations across France over the cost of living, following rallies the previous week that had descended into street violence. The two-day National Rally congress was also a major campaign event for Le Pen, with France’s presidential election due in six months. France 24’s Antonia Kerrigan reported from Orléans. The article provides a brief account of the demonstration and its political context, but does not give estimates of the number of participants, details about arrests or injuries at this particular march, or responses from the National Rally or the government. Its focus is the protest’s opposition to the party congress and its connection to wider public demonstrations and the approaching election.