Declared a candidate last week, the former number 2 of LR resumed her party card too late.
Too late. In a letter addressed to Virginie Calmels, the president of the high authority of the Republicans, Henri de Beauregard, is categorical and indicates to her that her candidacy for the presidency of the party “does not appear acceptable”. Former number two of the Republicans with Laurent Wauquiez, she left politics and the party three years ago. Before resuming her LR activist card this summer… After the July 22 deadline.
“Under the terms of the movement’s electoral guide, only members with up-to-date contributions as of July 22, 2022 can be candidates for the presidency of the party. Unless the party services are mistaken, this was not your case”explains the president of the high authority. “No reason has been found that could lead to the application of the rule laid down by the guide being set aside”he further develops.
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The reaction of the candidate, who had declared herself in Le Figaro on August 24, was not long in coming. More than a date error, Virginie Calmels is convinced that she sees a “attempt to prevent (his) candidacy”. After seeing her lawyer, the ex-number two of LR reacted by press release, stating that she intended to “fight to the end”.
” maneuvers»
“I am well aware that my profile as a business leader who does not live by politics is disturbing and that I am shaking up a well-oiled scenario written in advance. But I never imagined that they were capable of such maneuvers »adds Virginie Calmels. “Why go to so much trouble so that I cannot run for president of my party? »she asks, convinced of being“definitely a big problem for some”.
In a letter sent to the High Authority, his lawyer indeed asks the party to review its position, otherwise it would see itself “compelled to seize the competent courts of this dispute“. Me Jérémie Assous affirms in particular that the electoral booklet fixing the deadline of July 22 has been published “July 25», thus with a retroactive effect. According to the High Authority, this electoral guide, validated in the political office on July 19, was “immediately posted on the movement’s website“.
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Virginie Calmels’ lawyer also ensures that she renewed her contribution in November 2021. “ Dues are annual », (…) she did not have to do it again before the expiry of the one-year period« to remain a member of the party, he believes. Ms. Calmels had announced her candidacy on August 23, on a line »balanced« and “at the epicenter of the various currents of LR”. The election of the president of LR is scheduled for the weekend of December 3. Potential candidates have until October 3 to file sponsorships.
Representative of liberal sensibility within LR, Ms. Calmels had been sacked from her position as number 2 in June 2018 by Laurent Wauquiez, then party boss, and in open conflict with her. The former managing director of Endemol Monde then moved away from politics, joining the luxury real estate group Barnes in 2019, before launching a digital school in 2020. To date, Éric Ciotti, deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes, and Serge Grouard, mayor of Orléans, are candidates for the election of the president of the Republicans which will take place at the beginning of December. Aurélien Pradié and Bruno Retailleau(read above)could also occur in the coming days.
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