Following a tense political bureau meeting, the mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard, marks a break with Les Républicains. The reason: the method of selecting the presidential candidate and a perceived incoherent strategy.
The political sequence opened by the 2026 municipal elections continues with a significant announcement. On Wednesday, March 25, David Lisnard announced that a departure from Les Républicains is now being considered. This decision is publicly asserted amid internal tensions regarding the presidential strategy.
The Cannes mayor, who is also the president of the Association of French Mayors, indicated he “thinks he has nothing more to do” within the party. This stance comes in the wake of a contested political bureau. The method of selecting the candidate for the presidential election is a point of conflict. The party leadership has made a decision subject to the members: directly nominate Bruno Retailleau or organize a closed or semi-open primary.
This framework does not align with the approach advocated by David Lisnard, who was critical on BFMTV. “What happened yesterday is nonsense,” stated the mayor of Cannes. Another phrase left a mark: a “rigged vote”. The denunciation concerns the absence of an open primary, deemed necessary to unite the various right-wing sensitivities.
An Assumed Political Breakaway
The disagreement extends beyond just internal organization. The critique also targets the party’s overall political line. “Since the vote of confidence for François Bayrou, the abandonment of the pension reform, and the ambiguities concerning collaborating with the government – whether to participate or not – I think there is no visibility, no coherence, and no consistency,” declared David Lisnard.
A meeting with Bruno Retailleau is scheduled “in the coming hours.” The announcement of the departure is to be made directly to the party president. This step signifies a desire to formalize a break that has already been politically initiated.
The mayor of Cannes has been advocating a different strategy for several months. The idea of a “large open primary” forms the core of his proposal. This consultation would include several figures outside the party. The names of Eric Zemmour and Nicolas Dupont-Aignan have been mentioned. This approach fits within a logic of uniting the right-wing.
In this context, Eric Ciotti appears as a partial point of convergence. The mayor of Cannes had congratulated the political leader on his election in Nice. This acknowledgment fits into a closeness concerning the issue of rallying the right.
A Position Strengthened by the Municipal Elections
The timing of this announcement is not insignificant. Three days after the municipal elections, David Lisnard’s position is based on a solid local base. In Cannes, the vote resulted in a clear victory. The outgoing mayor secured 81.11% of the votes cast, or 19,721 votes.
Voter turnout remained limited, with 46.74% of voters out of 52,779 registered. Other lists lagged significantly. Lucas Mussio, the National Rally candidate, garnered 11.66%. Michel Hugues, positioned on the left, received 7.23%.
This configuration allowed for a broad dominance in the municipal council (45 seats). His re-election also enhances national visibility. The presidency of the Association of French Mayors adds an institutional dimension. In this context, David Lisnard’s statements extend beyond just the Cannes territory.
An Open Political Future
The question of the future remains. The president of the Nouvelle Énergie movement has not specified any alignment with another political formation. An autonomous strategy remains possible. His position towards the presidential race has not been publicly resolved.
The political context on the right remains fragmented. The debates over the selection method reflect deeper divergences. The choice between an internal candidacy or a broader opening remains central to the tensions.
In this landscape, the decision to leave Les Républicains constitutes a significant step towards a potential realignment. Future statements will clarify intentions.
