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Meanwhile, France’s far-right National Rally is holding the second day of its party congress in Orléans, south of Paris. Marine Le Pen is expected to officially launch her presidential campaign in a speech later this afternoon, while Jordan Bardella is being re-elected as party leader. On Saturday, a large counter-demonstration against the far right was held in the city. Our reporter Antonia Kerrigan has been following the latest developments.

Meanwhile, France’s far-right National Rally is holding the second day of its party congress in Orléans, south of Paris. Marine Le Pen is expected to officially launch her presidential campaign in a speech later this afternoon, while Jordan Bardella is being re-elected as party leader. On Saturday, a large counter-demonstration against the far right was held in the city. For more on what’s happening there, let’s cross to our reporter, Antonia Kerrigan.

Thousands of anti-fascist protesters took to the streets of Orléans on Saturday to demonstrate against a congress held by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party. Marchers criticised both Le Pen and President Emmanuel Macron, chanting slogans and carrying banners opposing the far right. The protest came amid renewed nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living, a week after rallies descended into street violence. The two-day congress also marked a major campaign event for Le Pen ahead of France’s presidential election in six months’ time. Antonia Kerrigan reports the latest from Orleans.

Thousands marched in Orléans as police, a night curfew for minors and a Sunday protest ban shaped the National Rally's weekend congress. The post Thousands March as Le Pen’s Party Meets appeared first on The Rio Times.

Against this backdrop of heightened tensions, France’s far-right National Rally is holding its annual congress in Orléans, south of Paris, where it is expected to officially launch Marine Le Pen’s presidential campaign and re-elect Jordan Bardella as party leader. Thousands of supporters are expected to attend, while a major counter-demonstration has been organised against racism, fascism and imperialism. Local authorities are preparing for possible clashes between the two groups. Antonia Kerrigan reports the latest.

The far-right European Parliament group of French presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen's party said Wednesday EU prosecutors were searching its offices as part of a graft probe into its now-defunct predecessor. The Patriots for Europe group said the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) had been searching its administrative offices in Brussels and Strasbourg "since this morning". FRANCE 24's Dave Keating reports from Strasbourg.

In the wake of the weekend's violence, the political camps have been trading blame for the “chaos”. The riots have played into the hands of the far-right National Rally - which has been quick to capitalise on the anger and fears over law and order. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Dr David Lees, Reader in French Studies at the University of Warwick, says that Marine Le Pen "is trying to use these events as a vehicle for pushing her popularity ahead of the elections next year".

In the wake of the weekend's violence, the political camps have been trading blame for the “chaos”. The riots have played into the hands of the far-right National Rally - which has been quick to capitalise on the anger and fears over law and order. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Dr David Lees, Reader in French Studies at the University of Warwick, says that Marine Le Pen "is trying to use these events as a vehicle for pushing her popularity ahead of the elections next year".

Le Pen is positioning her party as more capable than centrist or left-wing forces before the 2027 presidential election.

How much damage has the unrest in France caused to a protest movement rooted in genuine grievances but hijacked by rioters, violence and vandalism? Is it a gift to Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader and presidential frontrunner? Or is it a spectre of trouble to come in a deeply polarised society, amid an increasingly poisonous political atmosphere? France 24’s Gavin Lee speaks to French analyst Renaud Foucault and a senior professor of economics.

With just six months to go to presidential polls in France, a coalition of centre left parties have chosen their candidate… It's EU lawmaker, Raphael Glucksmann. The 46 year old tells voters he stands for a break with Macronism, a break with the far left of candidate Jean Luc Melenchon and that he's the candidate who can defeat the far right… though opinion polls suggest that in a second round run off he would not beat far right candidate Marine Le Pen.

Reinout De Bock, UBS IB European Rates Strategy Head, joins Bloomberg's Anna Edwards, Guy Johnson, and Tom Mackenzie on "The Opening Trade" to discuss Marine Le Pen's proposals for France along with what to expect with European energy costs as winter approaches. (Source: Bloomberg)