Chaos in France: 135 Arrested as Far-Right National Rally Opens Congress
135 arrested and weapons seized in France as National Rally opens its congress in Orléans amid nationwide unrest and counterprotests.
France has been gripped by nationwide unrest as police arrested 135 people and seized a startling array of weapons during demonstrations coinciding with the far-right National Rally party's convention in Orléans. The city, located south of Paris, became a flashpoint for intense political friction, drawing thousands of supporters of the far-right and a massive wave of counterprotesters.
Arsenal Seized Amid Street Clashes
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported that while there have been no "major incidents" so far, the security operation uncovered a dangerous variety of weapons among the crowds. Authorities confirmed the seizure of:
- A Japanese katana sword
- Airsoft guns and slingshots
- Metal balls, steel balls, and lead pellets
- Fireworks and various improvised weapons
While the atmosphere in Paris was described as "calm" by midday, the situation in other cities was far more volatile, with reports of clashes between security forces and protesters emerging from Lyon.
Orléans: The Epicenter of Protest
The city of Orléans saw an estimated 11,000 protesters gather by noon on Saturday. The demonstrators, representing a broad coalition of left-wing party leaders, trade unions, student groups, and NGOs like Amnesty International, targeted both Marine Le Pen and President Emmanuel Macron. The protests serve as a significant challenge to Le Pen just six months before the upcoming presidential election.
Inside the Zénith arena, the mood was starkly different. Thousands of party delegates and activists gathered to show their strength, chanting "Marine for President." During this high-energy congress, Jordan Bardella was officially re-elected as the president of the National Rally (Rassemblement National).
A Growing Wave of National Anger
The unrest is not limited to political opposition to the far-right. The current wave of mobilisations is a continuation of protests that began over a month ago, originally sparked by students fighting against poor high school conditions, teacher shortages, and inequality between public and private education systems.
This student-led movement has since evolved into a massive national coalition, absorbing the "Yellow Vests" movement and various trade unions. The grievances have expanded to include purchasing power and the rising cost of living, which triggered violent street clashes just a week prior.
Government Crackdown and Security Measures
In response to the escalating crisis, President Emmanuel Macron convened his defence council, meeting with senior ministers and security officials to coordinate the government's response. To prevent a repeat of previous violence, the government took several drastic steps:
- Banning planned protests in the cities of Marseille and Lyon.
- Closing major museums in Paris as a precautionary measure.
- Changing the route of the planned Paris march.
Route Dispute in Paris
The Paris police prefecture sparked further anger among opposition leaders and trade unions by altering the route of the Saturday march. Originally planned from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation starting at 1 pm, the police shifted the route to run from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes at 7 pm. Protest organisers have slammed this last-minute change, vowing to stick to the original path despite police orders, setting the stage for further potential confrontations.