Alexandre Chauveau
Éric Ciotti has been the new president of the Republicans since Sunday evening. The deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes won with 53.7% of the vote against Bruno Retailleau. Favorite party in the ballot, the victory of Éric Ciotti also signs that of Laurent Wauquiez, tipped to be the party’s candidate for the presidential election of 2027.
“I want a right of order, united on right-wing ideas,” declared Christian Jacob’s successor at the head of the party. Elected on Sunday evening against Bruno Retailleau, Éric Ciotti won the favor of the Republicans with a promise: that of “working in unity and clarity”. Placed favorite, the new president of the political formation nevertheless hoped without doubt a wider gap, he who benefited from many supports from the Sarkozyists Nadine Morano and Brice Hortefeux, to the Chiraquians like Christian Jacob or François Baroin.
Some elected officials cooled by a political line “too right”
His victory also signs, but with a short head, that of Laurent Wauquiez, of whom he had made a major campaign argument by pleading for his rapid nomination as a right-wing candidate in 2027. “I want to express to Laurent my gratitude and my confidence and tell him that this path is open and that it is up to all of us, individually and collectively, to build it, stone by stone”, said Éric Ciotti, victorious.
The new president of the Republicans must now bring together his political family after a tough campaign with Bruno Retailleau. The two ex-candidates appeared together on Sunday evening for a photo that was not enough to ease tensions. Eric Ciotti will finally have to reassure and try to prevent potential departures of elected officials cooled by his line considered too right by some. Elected officials whom the boss of Renaissance, Stéphane Séjourné, is already calling to work with the majority.