Rassemblement National leaders opened their 19th party congress in Orléans under heavy security, combining internal leadership votes with the official launch of Marine Le Pen’s 2027 presidential campaign, lexpress.fr reported. While party officials celebrated favorable early polling and rising membership claims, the weekend event was punctuated by protests outside the venue and clashes involving party security inside the hall.
Orléans Security Measures and Protests
Local authorities deployed approximately 3,000 police officers to secure Orléans, turning the Loiret prefecture into a heavily controlled zone following calls for demonstrations by trade unions and left-wing political organizations, according to 20minutes.fr. Police intercepted two buses carrying members of the Solidarités sans-papiers collective on a nearby highway to conduct immigration checks. Meanwhile, prefectural estimates placed the number of demonstrators gathered in the city streets at 13,000.
Inside the venue, security protocols proved controversial. Later on Saturday, security officers forcibly removed a reporting team from Mediapart from the congress floor amid booing from the crowd. Party press officials subsequently intervened, issued apologies, and allowed the journalists to return, though the Rassemblment National dismissed the incident as anecdotal.
Internal Elections and Executive Bureau Realignment
Jordan Bardella ran unopposed and won re-election as party president on Saturday, securing 98.98% of the vote from more than 75,000 participating members. Following his victory, Bardella announced the composition of the party’s executive bureau. The reshuffle brought gains for figures close to Marine Le Pen, including the return of Bruno Bilde after a four-year absence and the inclusion of Somme deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy. Gilles Pennelle, former strategic director, lost his position following the fallout from the Matignon strategy, while Sébastien Chenu, vice-president of the National Assembly, was pushed out.
Concurrently, Bardella placed close advisers such as economic counselor Charles-Henri Gallois, chief of staff François Paradol, and European Parliament colleague Pierre-Romain Thionnet into the ranks of the co-opted for the party’s instances.
Marine Le Pen Unveils the Renaissance Campaign
The candidate promised to restore public order.
The proceedings experienced further disruptions on Sunday when activists from the Union des Étudiants Juifs de France (UEJF) attempted to display a banner highlighting antisemitism and racism. Security personnel removed the student activists from the hall. A Mediapart journalist filming the altercation reported being pushed down the stairs by security staff, while a participant hurled insults during the ejection. The UEJF announced plans to file a formal complaint for group violence.
Surveys show Marine Le Pen leading presidential voting intentions
Rassemblement National officials pointed to recent surveys showing Marine Le Pen leading first-round presidential voting intentions between 32% and 38%, with projected victories across runoff scenarios. Party representatives attributed this momentum to a perceived turning point following civil disturbances on October 17, after which the movement reported gaining 5,000 new adherents. The organization currently claims 160,000 statutory members, compared to 36,000 recorded in 2022, though external verification of these figures remains limited.
What are the party membership and election figures?
What percentage of the vote did Jordan Bardella receive?
Jordan Bardella was re-elected as party president with 98.98% of the vote, running as the sole candidate in an election that drew over 75,000 voters at the Orléans congress.
How many members does the Rassemblment National claim to have?
The party claims 160,000 statutory members, a total that includes individuals who are not currently up to date on their dues, marking an increase from 36,000 members in 2022.
What legal action resulted from the security incidents inside the venue?
Activists from the Union des Étudiants Juifs de France stated on social media that they would file a legal complaint for group violence following their forcible removal by party security while displaying a banner during Sunday’s sessions.
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