Le Pen profite de la crise et promet une renaissance à la France

Marine Le Pen promised her supporters in Orléans a French renaissance during the 19th party congress of the Rassemblement National, shifting her campaign rhetoric from depicting national decline to projecting optimism regarding fiscal stability and public order. The two-day event took place at the city’s congress center, with approximately 5,000 attendees expected for the opening day and up to 10,000 for Sunday’s official launch of her presidential election campaign. Le Pen, who is 58 years old, stated she intended to restore hope to her compatriots by escaping the debt trap through a savings program. She described French history as a cycle of decline and rebirth, asserting that law and order would return once she occupied the Elysée Palace. The atmosphere in Orléans was tense, with the city resembling a ghost town due to strict security measures. Most shops were barricaded with plywood, while cafes, restaurants, and bakeries remained closed. Public transport was suspended, and bridges over the Loire River were restricted to security forces and accredited journalists. This heavy policing separated Le Pen’s supporters from counter-protesters gathering on the north bank of the river for an anti-fascist march. Authorities had anticipated up to 30,000 demonstrators, including 2,000 to 3,000 violent left-wing extremists, though fewer protesters arrived than expected. Police stopped three chartered buses carrying undocumented migrants from Paris near the highway exit, detaining some individuals in administrative custody. Inside the congress hall, former police officer and European Parliament member Matthieu Valet energized the crowd with declarations of solidarity toward law enforcement. He blamed the recent chaos, specifically the riots following the death of Nahel M. in Nanterre last July, on a weak government that excused left-radical groups. Valet called for the dissolution of all anti-fascist organizations, listing pro-Palestinian and climate activist groups among his targets. He received loud applause when he praised the officer who shot Nahel M., a fleeing car thief, whose death sparked nationwide unrest that forced President Emmanuel Macron to postpone a state visit to Germany. Valet argued that the absence of chaos in Orléans proved security forces could maintain peace if allowed to act. Jordan Bardella was confirmed as party leader without opposition. The party leadership moved into a new national office, signaling increased obedience to Le Pen within the top governing body. In a member vote for the National Council, Valet placed seventh, while deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy secured the top spot. Tanguy, known for designing a debt brake mechanism for Le Pen, represents the party’s financial turnaround. The party aims to anchor this debt brake in the constitution via referendum, framing its fiscal discipline as central to Le Pen’s promise of restoring state finances. Security preparations were extensive, involving roughly 3,000 police officers locally and 70,000 nationwide. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez vowed decisive action against violence, while Prefect Hugues Moutouh declared he would not tolerate attacks on police or attempts to disrupt the lawful meeting. A second counter-demonstration planned for Sunday was banned by a administrative court citing public safety risks. City authorities imposed driving bans, closed parking garages and museums, and ordered restaurant terraces cleared to prevent furniture from being used as projectiles. The choice of Orléans carried symbolic weight for the right-wing movement, given the city’s association with Joan of Arc, a national heroine from the Hundred Years' War. While the party cited the location's centrality and infrastructure as practical reasons, the historical resonance was evident. The equestrian statue of Saint Joan stood alone in the rain as residents avoided the streets. The congress occurred amid ongoing social unrest, with previous weekends seeing demonstrations turn violent in multiple cities, resulting in looting and injuries to police. Opposition to the congress was organized by around 50 left-wing parties, unions, and groups. Notable figures such as Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure and Confederation General du Travail secretary general Sophie Binet announced their participation. The protest route was altered by authorities to keep the march away from the city center. Despite the high stakes and potential for conflict, the confrontation between the two camps remained distant under heavy guard. Le Pen’s strategy marked a departure from her previous focus on painting France’s decay in dark colors, instead emphasizing a path forward through economic rigor and restored authority. The party’s internal dynamics showed a consolidation of power around Le Pen, with key figures like Valet and Tanguy rising in prominence based on their alignment with her agenda. The event served as a test of both the party’s organizational capacity and the state’s ability to manage polarized political gatherings during a period of heightened domestic tension.