Counter-protesters expected in Orléans

Several tens of thousands of counter-protesters are expected this weekend in Orléans to oppose the National Rally (RN) congress. The event is drawing attention due to the party's proposed changes to public funding for associations.

RN's plan to cut subsidies

The National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, has proposed ending public subsidies to "politicized" associations as part of its financial strategy. The party aims to recover 2 billion euros starting in 2027 by reducing state subsidies to associations not related to the general interest.

Government data on subsidies

Government data from 2023 shows that public subsidies granted to 1.3 million associations amounted to 23 billion euros, with 8.3 billion provided by the state. Marine Le Pen has criticized "myriad of politicized far-left associations" and argued that only apolitical associations should receive state subsidies.

RN's definition of politicized groups

The National Rally defines "political or politicized associations" as those that have called or call for voting against the party. Dozens of associations participating in Orléans at the anti-fascist village are warned that the party will not forget their opposition, even in 2027.

Examples of targeted associations

Senator Edwige Diaz, president of the Union National for Territories group, cited Planned Parenthood and the League for Human Rights as examples of associations that may lose state subsidies if they lack political neutrality. Similar actions have already been taken by the new RN mayor of Carpentras, Hervé de Lépinau, who cut subsidies to Planned Parenthood for opposing the party.

RN's stance on unions and other groups

The National Rally has not yet decided on public aid to unions that call for voting against the party, such as the CGT, fearing a negative image. However, the tax exemption for donations to associations that call for "violent actions," such as L214, will be abolished, according to Edwige Diaz.

Other political groups also scrutinize associations

Conditioning public aid to the neutrality of an association is not unique to the RN. In 2023, then-Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin stated that the state subsidies granted to the League for Human Rights "deserve to be examined," following concerns raised by a senator about the organization's activities during a demonstration.