The alliance between the Republicans (LR) and the Rassemblement National led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella for the upcoming early elections in France has caused tensions within the party. In response to his controversial decision to ally with the Rassemblement National, LR leader Eric Ciotti closed the party headquarters located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. This move was seen as an attempt to prevent other party leaders from meeting to force his resignation due to widespread opposition to his decision.
Ciotti claimed that the meeting called by party number two Annie Genevard did not follow the legal requirements set out in the party’s statutes. Despite the closure of the headquarters, the meeting still took place in front of the building. Another member of LR, Aurelien Pradie’, who had been removed from his position as number two by Ciotti last year, also expressed opposition to the alliance.
Despite being expelled from Les Republicains (LR), Ciotti maintained his position as president of LR, implying that he did not acknowledge the legitimacy of leadership change. Meanwhile, Annie Genevard and Francois-Xavier Bellamy assumed leadership of Gaullist party following Ciotti’s actions.
