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.