France tightens security amid nationwide protests and RN congress

French authorities deployed nearly 3,000 security personnel in Orléans to safeguard the Rassemblement National party congress, where between 20,000 and 30,000 counter-protesters were expected to gather. To avert clashes during Marine Le Pen's scheduled address on Sunday, October 25, the Loiret prefecture prohibited all unapproved public gatherings across the municipality and instituted a nighttime curfew for minors under 15. In Paris, law enforcement deployed aerial drones to monitor crowd movements.

Nationwide demonstrations on October 24 resulted in 1,314 arrests and left 53 police officers injured, with 126 individuals detained in the capital. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that security operations would remain "massive" to maintain public order and counter disruptive groups.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, RTBF Info.