French Right Grapples with Internal Divisions as Regional Election Loss Adds to Woes
PARIS (AP) – France’s center-right Les Républicains (LR) party is facing a deepening crisis of confidence following a recent legislative by-election defeat in Haute-Savoie and growing internal dissent over strategy and leadership. The setbacks come at a critical juncture as the party attempts to navigate a shifting political landscape dominated by the rising popularity of the far-right National Rally (RN) and the centrist government of President Emmanuel Macron.
The loss in Haute-Savoie, a traditionally conservative stronghold held by the right since 1958, saw LR candidate Christophe Fournier defeated by Antoine Valentin, backed by RN figure Eric Ciotti’s Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR). The result has triggered a blame game within the party, exposing fractures over how to respond to Ciotti’s increasingly assertive stance and potential alliance with the RN.
“It’s a painful blow in a region we’ve held for decades,” said a senior LR official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the internal discussions. “This isn’t just about one election; it’s about the direction of the party.”
The defeat has reignited calls for accountability, with Virginie Duby-Muller, a deputy representing a neighboring constituency, demanding “rapid clarification” and the expulsion of Martial Saddier, the head of LR’s Haute-Savoie federation and the department’s president. Duby-Muller accuses Saddier of “persistent ambiguity” and points to his past support for Valentin during the 2024 legislative elections, when he challenged then-incumbent LR deputy Christelle Petex, who subsequently resigned citing harassment and threats.
The internal turmoil extends beyond Haute-Savoie. LR President Bruno Retailleau is struggling to maintain unity as the party grapples with fundamental disagreements over policy and strategy. Retailleau himself recently described the current government’s budget as “socialist,” a position that clashes with the pragmatic approach favored by many LR lawmakers who have refrained from outright censure.
This internal conflict is particularly concerning given the broader political context. France is preparing for municipal elections in March, and the RN is actively seeking to expand its influence beyond its traditional base. Ciotti’s bid for the mayorship of Nice, with the backing of some LR members, is seen as a direct challenge to the established right-wing order.
The situation highlights the broader challenges facing center-right parties across Europe, as they struggle to adapt to the rise of populism and the erosion of traditional political allegiances. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, support for right-wing populist parties has increased significantly in several European countries over the past decade, fueled by concerns over immigration, economic inequality, and national identity. https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2019/04/29/european-attitudes-toward-immigration-and-national-identity/
Retailleau is now tasked with navigating these treacherous waters, attempting to reconcile the different factions within his party and present a united front ahead of the upcoming elections. However, with the party seemingly adrift and its leadership under fire, the path forward remains uncertain.
The latest developments within LR are being closely watched by Macron’s government, which is keen to exploit any divisions on the right. A weakened LR could potentially open up space for Macron’s centrist alliance to consolidate its position as the dominant force in French politics.
[Image of Bruno Retailleau, President of Les Républicains (LR), at the party headquarters in Paris, January 7, 2026. SARAH MEYSSONNIER/REUTERS]
