The Republicans (LR) are getting ready for the European elections where the party is predicted to see a significant decline compared to the previous edition, with a score notably lower than that of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, which would demote them from the position of the number 1 opposition in the national landscape.
This is a severe blow to the presidential ambitions of Laurent Wauquiez, who, after seeing members from his right wing depart to the National Rally and witnessing the distancing of centrist-minded elected officials, risks finding himself leading a (small) conservative party.
In line with this, this Tuesday, the National Investiture Commission, chaired by Eric Ciotti, will approve Laurent Wauquiez’s proposal in favor of philosopher and Versailles councilor François-Xavier Bellamy, known for his conservative stances, notably on abortion, to lead the Republican list in the European elections.
This choice is no longer a surprise, as the same Eric Ciotti had publicly supported it.
François-Xavier Bellamy, 33 years old, will be supported by Ile-de-France councilor Agnès Evren and outgoing MEP Arnaud Danjean.
Agnès Evren is the vice-president in charge of culture for the Ile-de-France region, led by Valérie Pécresse. Since October, she has also chaired the LR federation in Paris.
Former member of the DGSE, Arnaud Danjean has been an LR MEP since 2009.
The rest of the list is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks with difficult decisions ahead, for the eligible spots, between a desire for renewal and the continuation of outgoing members, among whom are Rachida Dati, Geoffroy Didier, Brice Hortefeux, and Nadine Morano.
