Le Pen Launches Presidential Run in Locked-Down Orléans as Police Keep Far-Left Militants at Bay
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said gendarmes seized ‘a great many improvised weapons’ before the protests against the National Rally's congress in Orléans.
TL;DR
- Marine Le Pen launched her 2027 presidential campaign in Orléans.
- Nearly 3,000 police and gendarmes were deployed for security.
- There were warnings of potential disruptions from thousands of radical far-left militants.
- The event coincided with the National Rally's 19th party congress.
- The city experienced a lockdown with significant security measures including armored vehicles and drones.
- The security operation was described as unprecedented by Loiret prefect Hugues Moutouh.
- The gathering occurred shortly after riots and looting in several French cities.