Thousands protest against Le Pen's National Rally congress in Orléans

Summarised from 2 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 25 Oct, 12:07 · Archive

Anti-fascist demonstrators marched in Orléans on Saturday as Marine Le Pen's National Rally held a two-day party congress.

Thousands of anti-fascist demonstrators took to the streets of Orléans on Saturday to protest against Marine Le Pen's National Rally party congress, a major campaign event ahead of France's presidential election in six months. The marchers criticised both Le Pen and President Emmanuel Macron, chanting slogans and carrying banners opposing the far right.

The protest came amid renewed nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living. The Daily Mail reports that police arrested 1,314 people across France during weekend protests, with 53 officers hurt in clashes. The paper states that more than 400,000 people marched in major French cities on Saturday, with groups of masked youths breaking away to provoke police, who responded with tear gas and water cannon. Local authorities deployed exceptional security measures in Orléans as the demonstrations took place.

Le Pen was expected to officially launch her presidential campaign with a speech to the National Rally congress on Sunday afternoon, while Jordan Bardella was being re-elected as party leader. The unrest marked the second consecutive weekend of protests in France as the country heads towards its presidential election in April and May.

How it is being reported

• More than 1,300 demo-goers arrested and 50 police hurt in violent French protests - as National Rally' Marine Le Pen to kick off presidential campaign with rally speechIt was the second consecutive weekend of unrest in France, which is heading to presidential elections in April and May to choose a successor to Macron, who is reaching his two-term limit.Daily Mail · 25 Oct, 11:53
• Far-right leader Le Pen says visible policing keeps protests smoothMeanwhile, France’s far-right National Rally is holding the second day of its party congress in Orléans, south of Paris. Marine Le Pen is expected to officially launch her presidential campaign in a speech later this afternoon, while Jordan Bardella is being re-elected as party leader. On Saturday, a large counter-demonstration against the far right was held in the city. Our reporter Antonia Kerrigan has been following the latest developments.France 24 · 25 Oct, 11:39
• France’s far right gathers as Le Pen prepares her presidential campaignMeanwhile, France’s far-right National Rally is holding the second day of its party congress in Orléans, south of Paris. Marine Le Pen is expected to officially launch her presidential campaign in a speech later this afternoon, while Jordan Bardella is being re-elected as party leader. On Saturday, a large counter-demonstration against the far right was held in the city. For more on what’s happening there, let’s cross to our reporter, Antonia Kerrigan.France 24 · 25 Oct, 09:31
• France: Anti-far-right protest in OrleansFar-right candidate Marine Le Pen is officially launching her presidential campaign this weekend at the National Rally’s two-day party congress in Orléans, where thousands of supporters are expected to attend. Local authorities have put exceptional security measures in place as anti-far-right demonstrations take place in the city.France 24 · 24 Oct, 14:19
• France: Thousands march in Orléans against National Rally congressThousands of anti-fascist protesters took to the streets of Orléans on Saturday to demonstrate against a congress held by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party. Marchers criticised both Le Pen and President Emmanuel Macron, chanting slogans and carrying banners opposing the far right. The protest came amid renewed nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living, a week after rallies descended into street violence. The two-day congress also marked a major campaign event for Le Pen ahead of France’s presidential election in six months’ time. Antonia Kerrigan reports the latest from…France 24 · 24 Oct, 12:45
• France: March against National Rally in OrleansAgainst this backdrop of heightened tensions, France’s far-right National Rally is holding its annual congress in Orléans, south of Paris, where it is expected to officially launch Marine Le Pen’s presidential campaign and re-elect Jordan Bardella as party leader. Thousands of supporters are expected to attend, while a major counter-demonstration has been organised against racism, fascism and imperialism. Local authorities are preparing for possible clashes between the two groups. Antonia Kerrigan reports the latest.France 24 · 24 Oct, 11:30

In this story: Marine Le Pen · Emmanuel Macron · National Rally · Orléans · France · Jordan Bardella

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