A Nazi salute gesture during a Rassemblement National meeting sparked controversy, with the party condemning it and promising sanctions if the perpetrator is a member.
Nazi salute gesture at political meeting
A man made a gesture resembling a Nazi salute during a meeting of the Rassemblement National (RN) in Orléans on Sunday. The incident was observed from the press tribune, though it was not immediately clear if the gesture was intentional or recognized as such.RN condemns the gesture
The RN party stated that it condemns "totally" this gesture if it is a Nazi salute and promised sanctions if the perpetrator is a member of the party. The party emphasized that it would take action against any member found guilty of such behavior.Interruption by Jewish student group
During Jordan Bardella's speech, activists later identified as members of the Union des étudiants juifs de France (UEJF) interrupted the president of the RN's address. The individuals were jeered by the crowd, and the press tribune's height made the incident completely invisible to the public.UEJF activists hold protest sign
The UEJF activists, who claimed responsibility for the act, held a sign reading "Bardella re-elected: racism and antisemitism do not bother the RN, on the contrary." The party's security team expelled them from the event after the interruption.Bardella attempts to restore calm
On stage, Jordan Bardella attempted to restore calm, displaying composure and condemning an action carried out by "the ultra-left." As he asked the crowd to sing the Marseillaise, a supporter who had previously shouted "out" with the crowd raised his arm in a gesture resembling a Nazi salute.Second incident visible to journalists
His neighbor quickly grabbed his arm to lower it. This time, the scene occurred just below the press tribune, clearly visible to the journalists present. The RN confirmed that if the gesture was indeed a Nazi salute, it would be condemned and the individual would face consequences if they were a party member.RN's response to media
The previous day, during the congress, journalists from Mediapart were removed without ceremony by the RN's security team after activists chanted jeers and slogans "Mediapart out." The media had published antisemitic writings attributed to Jordan Bardella, who denies authorship.RN allows journalists back
The RN's communications team quickly allowed their return to the room. During this congress, Marine Le Pen launched her presidential campaign before approximately 8,500 people, according to the organizers. She promised a "national unity" government led by Jordan Bardella in the event of victory in 2027.Le Pen outlines policy goals
Placing her project under the sign of France's "renaissance," she announced her intention to include the "national community" in the Constitution and defended a foreign policy refusing to involve young French citizens in wars she considers foreign to the country's interests. The meeting was held under high police surveillance, the day after an anti-RN demonstration in the city's streets.
