Thousands Protest National Rally Congress in Orléans
18 sourcesUpdated Oct 24, 20261 min read
Thousands marched in Orléans on October 24 against the far-right National Rally’s two-day congress, with crowd estimates ranging from 11,000 by authorities to 26,000 by organizers. Called by parties, unions and civic groups under slogans opposing racism and fascism, the protest drew Socialist leader Olivier Faure, Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko and CGT chief Sophie Binet; participants also criticized President Emmanuel Macron. The congress is a major campaign event for Marine Le Pen ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election and is expected to see Jordan Bardella re-elected as party leader. Nearly 3,000 police and gendarmes were deployed, transport was restricted and the march route was changed to keep it away from the congress; no arrests had been reported at the time of an update. Tensions were heightened by a deadly attack in Trappes under investigation for possible racist motives, as France also faced wider demonstrations over the cost of living; Le Pen was due to deliver a campaign-launch speech on Sunday.
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Left· 2 sources
“As Le Pen holds far-right congress, Orléans braces to become epicenter of major protests”Center· 5 sources
“Fresh protests across France”Right· 2 sources
“Thousands March as Le Pen's Party Meets”The heavy police presence shows how tense these events have become, but shouting down every opponent won't fix France's actual problems.
It's good to see thousands turning out in Orléans to reject the National Rally's platform and its push before 2027.
