Éric Ciotti Ousted from Republicans Amidst Party Turmoil
In a highly dramatic turn of events, Éric Ciotti, despite being ousted from the Republicans, made a bold appearance at party headquarters this Thursday morning at 10 a.m. The former party leader, who is challenging the legitimacy of his exclusion voted by all LR executives the previous day, has taken legal action against his ouster. Calling it a 'coup de force,' Ciotti posted a symbolic video on his X account (formerly Twitter) captioned 'To work for France!' The video, set to epic music and showing him reclaiming his office at Place du Palais Bourbon in Paris, has become a flashpoint for controversy.
Amidst ongoing disputes, Ciotti appeared on the balcony of the Republican headquarters, smiling and declaring he was there to work, despite closing access to the headquarters the previous day. Inside the building, behind closed doors, a new Republican political office meeting was convened this afternoon. The turmoil in the party continued unabated.
The Republican party finds itself in the eye of a storm following an announcement by Éric Ciotti of forming an alliance with the National Rally for the early legislative elections. This controversial decision led to the exclusion of Ciotti from the party during a political bureau meeting at the Social Museum in Paris. Governance responsibilities have since been transferred to Françoise Genevard and François-Xavier Bellamy. This meeting, facilitated by Annie Genevard, saw participation from key party figures including Gérard Larcher, Valérie Pécresse, Laurent Wauquiez, and Xavier Bertrand. Calls for Ciotti's dismissal have soared within the political party.
Ciotti, however, avoided the meeting, disputing its validity and claiming it was organized in violation of party statutes. He also ordered the closure of LR headquarters, citing safety concerns due to threats and disturbances. Despite the accusations of treachery and cowardice from party members like Valérie Pécresse and Xavier Bertrand, Ciotti remains defiant. He insists only the activists could remove him from his position, despite internal opposition deeming him no longer party president.
The fallout from Ciotti's announcement extended beyond the party, triggering reactions from other political camps. Emmanuel Macron criticized the alliance with the National Rally, describing it as a 'devil's pact,' while extending support to those disillusioned by the decision. Amidst criticisms and calls for resignation, Ciotti's future in the Republicans remains uncertain as the party grapples with its internal crisis.
- The saga surrounding Éric Ciotti has captivated both party members and political observers. His insistence on staying in power has highlighted deep divisions within the Republicans, with some calling for a complete overhaul of the party's leadership.
- Françoise Genevard and François-Xavier Bellamy, now tasked with interim governance, face the daunting challenge of steering the party through turbulent waters. Their immediate focus will be on stabilizing the internal dynamics and preparing for the upcoming legislative elections.
