Internal Turmoil in Les Républicains as Haut-Rhin President Allies with RN for 2026 Municipal Elections

Alain Kott, president of the Les Républicains (LR) in Haut-Rhin, has triggered a political storm by endorsing the Rassemblement National (RN) and Union des Démocrates et Indépendants (UDR) list for the upcoming 2026 municipal elections in Colmar. Kott framed this alliance as part of an "alliance of the right," aiming to provide clear guidance and hope for France. However, his decision sharply divided the LR party. Bruno Retailleau, president of LR, swiftly responded by suspending Kott from his departmental presidency and initiating exclusion proceedings against him. The Haut-Rhin LR federation condemned Kott's move as "solitary" and contrary to both national and local party positions, emphasizing internal disagreements over LR's strategic direction and alliances.

The episode highlights mounting tensions within LR as the party grapples with strategic alignments ahead of critical elections. Meanwhile, across the political spectrum in Paris, socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire unveiled proposals to strengthen the screening and control of facilitators amid accusations concerning past violence in extracurricular settings.

In addition, within LR, the battle over the party's presidential candidacy for 2027 intensifies. Discussions on using opinion polls versus an open primary to select their candidate have sparked concerns about fragmenting the party. A steering committee has been formed to establish a selection method among anticipated contenders, including Retailleau, Laurent Wauquiez, David Lisnard, Michel Barnier, and Xavier Bertrand.

These developments reveal fractures within LR as they navigate electoral challenges and internal disputes while other parties prepare for the 2026 municipal elections.