Bruno Retailleau's Return Marks Political Turmoil for Les Républicains Amid 2025 Challenges

Bruno Retailleau has returned to the Senate a month after resigning from his position as Minister of the Interior, adhering to protocol. Now firmly in opposition, Retailleau is expected to work with Republican senators to oppose the government's pension reform proposed by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. This return follows a turbulent period in which Retailleau's political stance and leadership within Les Républicains have significantly weakened.

A year prior, Retailleau had joined the government to align with Macronist ministers and prevent the appointment of a left-wing Prime Minister, leveraging a parliamentary majority of 212 votes against 193. This was regarded as a responsible move to maintain political stability amid uncertainty. However, his sudden departure from the government on October 5, announced via a tweet criticizing the government's composition, triggered the collapse of Lecornu's government—the shortest in French history—resulting in widespread political chaos.

Following this exit, Retailleau's authority within Les Républicains diminished considerably. Internal divisions have emerged, compounded by some party members joining the government against his directives. Polls reflect a fragile position for both Retailleau and the party: Retailleau's support for the presidency is under 10%, with Ipsos data placing him at 21% favorability among presidential candidates but still behind leaders like Jordan Bardella (37%) and Marine Le Pen (33%). The party struggles amid public distrust and a political landscape polarized between Macronism and the National Rally.

Retailleau has justified his resignation by claiming undue socialist influence on Lecornu and suggests he would have resigned regardless. Despite some polling upticks, the right remains caught between contrasting political forces, with power purchasing and social system concerns at the forefront for nearly half the French population.

The political challenges for Les Républicains in late 2025 reflect both internal discord and a broader struggle to regain influence against a backdrop of government instability and voter skepticism.