While David Lisnard called on Éric Ciotti to break with the National Rally to join him in the race for the Élysée, the mayor of Nice reaffirmed his support for Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella. At the National Rally’s general assembly in Orléans, the president of the Union of the Right for the Republic defended the alliance forged during the 2024 legislative elections.
David Lisnard‘s call does not appear to have convinced Éric Ciotti. On Tuesday, October 27, on the CNews set, the mayor of Cannes invited his Nice counterpart to distance himself from the National Rally (RN) and draw closer to New Energy, his political movement, with a view to the 2027 presidential election. A proposal to which the president of the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR) opposes a clear position: maintaining his alliance with Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella.
« In 2024, I chose unity and gathering. Today, nothing will stop this alliance forged during the legislative elections with Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella. In this grave moment for our nation, I solemnly call on my former friends from the Republicans to join us. I am and will remain by the side of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, alongside the immense hope they carry for our country », declared Éric Ciotti following the announcement made by the mayor of Cannes. The Nice official was moreover present at the XIXth Congress of the National Rally in Orléans last weekend, where he also spoke.
This position confirms the UDR president’s determination to continue rapprochement with Marine Le Pen’s party, despite the differences highlighted by David Lisnard. At this stage, no prospect of rapprochement between the two officials appears likely.
David Lisnard criticizes the National Rally’s economic program
On CNews, the mayor of Cannes had justified his call by the program differences between New Energy and the RN, particularly on economic and financial matters. David Lisnard believes that the UDR’s proposals are closer to his orientations than those defended by Marine Le Pen.
« Someone explain to me how we’re going to revive prosperity in France and reduce spending with retirement as proposed by the RN », declared the liberal and conservative candidate, referring to the Le Pénist party’s wish to lower the retirement age to 62, or even 60 in certain situations. David Lisnard, who proposes 200 billion euros in savings over five years, also stated: « I listened to Marine Le Pen, I did not find her credible on economic and financial matters. »
Beyond Éric Ciotti, the mayor of Cannes launched an appeal to former Republicans members who joined Emmanuel Macron. « I call on those who went to Mr. Macron to join me », he declared. David Lisnard left LR at the end of March 2026 to pursue his political project with New Energy.
The mayor of Cannes is also benefiting from progress in several opinion polls, in terms of recognition and voting intentions. A dynamic that comes a few months before the presidential election, as the various political forces seek to clarify their strategies. In the latest October barometer conducted by Odoxa-Mascaret the mayor of Cannes gained 8 points in approval rating, placing him now 10th most supported political figure with 22% just behind Sarah Knafo, François Hollande, Bruno Retailleau and Eric Ciotti.
A week before David Lisnard’s call, Éric Ciotti had described his candidacy as a « testimonial candidacy » and invited right-wing candidates, including Bruno Retailleau, to rally around Marine Le Pen. The UDR president now maintains this line, while David Lisnard intends to defend his own orientations to « straighten France out. »
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