France deploys nearly 3,000 officers in Orléans for RN congress as 20,000-30,000 opponents expected

Sur la place de la République, à Paris, le 21 octobre 2026. BENJAMIN CARROT POUR « LE MONDE »

An "exceptional" security operation involving nearly 3,000 members of the security forces will be deployed this weekend in Orléans around the Rassemblement National (RN) congress, with authorities expecting between 20,000 and 30,000 opponents.

"To those who would come with the intention of provoking clashes or committing violence, I want to send an unambiguous warning. The security forces will be present in large numbers, well equipped," warned the prefect of Loiret, Hugues Moutouh, during a press briefing on Thursday, October 22. According to him, among the demonstrators there could be "2,000 to 3,000 radical elements."

The RN congress is expected to bring together 5,000 people on Saturday and 10,000 on Sunday, for the official launch of Marine Le Pen's presidential campaign. From Saturday morning, a large demonstration against "racism, fascism and imperialism" is planned at 10:30 a.m., starting from the cathedral square, at the call of around fifty organizations, unions and mainly left-wing political movements.

After the demonstration, an "antifascist village," including association stands and workshops, will see several personalities pass through, including the First Secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), Olivier Faure, the leader of the CGT, Sophie Binet, and the La France insoumise (LFI) mayor of Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko.

Read also | LIVE, October 17 demonstrations: in Paris, a curfew announced in certain areas every night until Monday morning

Read later

No Demonstration on Sunday

"This regularly declared demonstration is within the bounds of legality (...). The State, that is its role, will guarantee the exercise of this freedom to demonstrate," emphasized Hugues Moutouh.

At the same time, on Saturday and Sunday, organizations "identified as belonging to the far-left movement" have displayed "their firm intention to prevent by all means the holding of the Rassemblement National congress and Mrs. Le Pen's rally," continued the prefect. "I will not let violent groups take a peaceful demonstration hostage, attack the security forces, threaten residents or damage shops and public buildings," he promised, after the violence and looting that affected many cities during the October 17 demonstrations.

As such, the prefect warned that "there will be no declared demonstration on Sunday (...), because we unfortunately know that these gatherings are mobs, often of armed people, whose objective is to destabilize the institutions of the Republic and attack people's freedoms."

He stated that "absolutely massive resources have been mobilized by the Ministry of the Interior" to ensure security in Orléans, including "about fifteen mobile force units" throughout the weekend, "i.e., nearly 2,000 additional CRS and mobile gendarmes."

"It Will Not Be Chaos Here"

A Centaure armored vehicle from the gendarmerie and water cannon vehicles will also be deployed. "It's unprecedented for Orléans," emphasized the prefect, regarding the expected attendance and the security operation.

Newsletter "Presidential 2027" Every Friday, find the essentials of the presidential campaign by Le Monde's political service. Sign up

Serge Grouard, the miscellaneous right mayor of Orléans, for his part expressed the "concern" of his constituents and shopkeepers, whose stores will nevertheless be allowed to remain open. "My objective is to protect Orléans. It will not be chaos here, it must not be," he assured, referring to the significant violence and damage on the margins of the October 17 mobilizations against the high cost of living. He called for the "common sense of Orléanais" and said he was worried "for the end of Saturday, the night and Sunday," assuring he wanted to "be uncompromising with potential looters and vandals."

"We anticipate everything that can be anticipated," he added, announcing the closure of several public places, including museums, and the cancellation of shows. Tram traffic will also be suspended all day Saturday. Self-service bicycles will also be removed from the entire city center. "We have no guarantee, but we are trying to reduce this uncertainty as much as possible," said Mr. Grouard.

Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers "The promiscuity of union leaders with the far right, notably those of Alliance, proves particularly worrying for our democracy"

Read later

Le Monde with AFP

Unprecedented event "What world after Trump?" on November 10 at the Grand Rex

Evening course Secret services: "At the heart of espionage, cunning in the service of power"

Online course Understanding and using generative artificial intelligence

Le Monde in maps Your monthly appointment dedicated to geopolitics

Online course From Adam Smith to Milton Friedman, meeting those who thought economics

Online course 1900–1914: the revolutions of painting

Online course Hyperparenting, positive education, tyrant child… the art of being a parent

Online course From everyday situations to professional life, how to find the right words.

Online course From birth to adulthood, how to improve your sleep

Online course From Socrates to the end of the Roman Empire: how to navigate ancient philosophy

See more