The French Republicans are currently facing a crisis that could lead to their implosion. The party’s leader, Eric Ciotti, recently announced that he would be forming an alliance with the far-right National Gathering, sparking controversy within the party. Ciotti stated that he believes in the need for a right-wing bloc, a national bloc, and has already agreed with leaders of the RN on this alliance. As part of the agreement, the RN would not put up candidates in constituencies where Republican MPs are running for reelection.
While the RN leader Marine Le Pen and party leader Jordan Bardella praised the decision, many heavyweights within the Republican Party reacted negatively to the idea of joining forces with the far-right. Some senators even announced their resignations, and calls for Ciotti to step down as party leader have been made by prominent figures such as parliamentary group leader Olivier Marleix and Senate President Gérard Larcher.
The potential split within the Republican Party and the reorganization of France’s political landscape are now becoming more likely. In response to the growing influence of the right-wing, other parties are also exploring different alliances. Socialists, radical leftists, Greens, and Communists have formed a new joint electoral alliance. The head of state, President Emmanuel Macron, has announced that he will dissolve the National Assembly and call for new parliamentary elections in response to the RN’s strong showing in the recent EU election.
Various negotiations are currently underway as political parties seek out possible alliance partners to strengthen their positions. The RN and its allies are also working to win a majority in the parliamentary elections, sparking speculation about potential outcomes and shifts in power dynamics within the French political landscape. Macron’s decision to call for new elections has added further uncertainty to an already volatile political situation.