Reconquest Party Faces Major Setbacks in Legislative Elections
The Reconquest party, led by Éric Zemmour, has faced significant challenges in the recent legislative elections. Despite their previous success in the European elections, where they secured five MEPs, the party managed to gather only 0.6% of the votes at the national level in the first round of the legislative elections. This is a steep decline from the 3.61% they achieved in 2022. The party's best score in a constituency was 23.19% for Éric Zemmour in the fourth constituency of Var in 2022.
Internal Strife and Leadership Changes
Internal conflicts have further weakened Reconquest. Marion Maréchal, who led the party to success in the European elections, was excluded after choosing to support the National Rally during the legislative elections. This decision, supported by other key figures like Nicolas Bay and Guillaume Peltier, led to their expulsion from the party. The executive leadership now primarily consists of Éric Zemmour and Sarah Knafo, his partner and recently elected MEP.
Election Day Challenges and Future Prospects
The party also faced logistical issues on election day, with approximately 75,000 voters in the eighth constituency of Yvelines unable to receive their ballot papers. This incident, affecting 22 municipalities, may lead to an appeal and potential annulment of the vote in that district. The Reconquest party now faces a critical juncture, needing to address internal divisions and external challenges to ensure its survival and future success.
- The Reconquest party's recent electoral performance has raised questions about its future viability. The party's poor showing in the legislative elections, coupled with internal strife and leadership changes, has left it in a precarious position. The exclusion of key figures like Marion Maréchal, Nicolas Bay, and Guillaume Peltier has decimated its executive leadership, leaving Éric Zemmour and Sarah Knafo as the primary figures steering the party.
- The logistical issues faced on election day, particularly in the eighth constituency of Yvelines, have further compounded the party's challenges. The absence of ballot papers for approximately 75,000 voters could lead to legal proceedings and potential annulment of the vote in that district. These issues highlight the party's need to address both internal and external factors to rebuild and regain voter confidence.
