The main right-wing party in France on Wednesday excluded its leader, who had proposed an unprecedented alliance with the far right with a view to the early legislative elections, a sanction refused by the person concerned, who considers it “illegal”.
Eric Ciotti was excluded “unanimously” by the political office of the Republicans (LR), the party heir to General de Gaulle and from which several former presidents of the Republic come, indicates a party press release.
But against all odds, Mr. Ciotti, who boasts the support of activists, continues to cling to his seat, which suggests thorny legal battles, each interpreting the party rules to their advantage.
“I am and remain the president of our political party, elected by the members,” he immediately replied on X, deeming his exclusion “illegal”.
In the process, the Republicans, who had 61 elected representatives in the Assembly, re-elected all their outgoing deputies for the legislative election, except Mr. Ciotti and another executive favorable to an alliance with the RN.
“There will be an LR candidate against Eric Ciotti in his constituency” of the Alpes-Maritimes (south), indicated the head of the LR deputies, Olivier Marleix, a decision also contested by Mr. Ciotti according to which the investiture commission does not has “no legal and legal existence”.
Holding a hard line on immigration, Mr. Ciotti had aroused the ire of his camp by calling for an unprecedented alliance with the National Rally (RN, far right) – which came well ahead of the European elections in France – in view of the early legislative elections of June 30 and July 7.
This election was provoked by the decision on Sunday of President Emmanuel Macron, after the debacle of his camp in the European elections, to dissolve the National Assembly.
Until now, the Republican right party in France had always refused to form a national alliance with the far right.
“Eric Ciotti, out: he betrayed, he betrayed for a constituency,” criticized Xavier Bertrand, party executive and former minister, on the BFMTV-RMC channel.
“There is no place for traitors and Putsch-style putsches,” said former LR presidential candidate Valérie Pécresse.
“When we do politics, we do not respond with agreements, coalitions, small agreements made on the sly to negotiate constituencies,” said Laurent Wauquiez, a potential right-wing option for the 2027 presidential election.
Before his fate was sealed on Wednesday, Mr. Ciotti had once again caused a stir by denying access to the Paris headquarters of his party to elected officials who wanted to dismiss him, citing “security” reasons.
The party meeting was finally held at the social museum a few hundred meters from the headquarters.