Les Républicains Struggle Amid Macron Resignation Calls and Internal Divisions

Les Républicains (LR), the French center-right party, are facing a period of profound internal turmoil and leadership uncertainty as political instability shakes France's landscape in late 2025. The party's president, Bruno Retailleau, finds himself increasingly isolated, signaling a potential break from the macronist political sphere. Retailleau's decisive move to dismantle Sébastien Lecornu's government—who had yet to resign—was seen by many within LR as a significant rupture with President Emmanuel Macron's administration. Yet, questions linger about the party's future direction and Retailleau's full comprehension of the consequences of breaking from the current order (ID 97787).

Meanwhile, Jean-François Copé, LR mayor of Meaux, has renewed his call for Macron to resign following the 2026 municipal elections. Copé argued the ongoing minority government setup is dysfunctional and that governance requires a president with an absolute majority to be effective. He warned that if Macron refuses to step down, the political and economic crisis could rapidly worsen, emphasizing the role of mayors as the only stabilizing force in the Republic currently. Internal friction remains evident in LR as the party opts out of government participation, choosing case-by-case support instead, highlighting a rivalry between Retailleau and Laurent Wauquiez. Copé also critiqued the Republican leadership for their inward focus and urged broader party engagement (ID 97747).

Concurrently, political figures like Christian Estrosi of Horizons have joined calls for Macron's immediate resignation and early presidential elections, exposing fractures beyond LR. Estrosi's comments drew criticism from Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti, who branded him the "worst courtier." A recent poll shows the far-right Rassemblement National leading voter intentions at around 34-35%, while the central political bloc suffers diminishing support, now trailing the left to reach the second election round. Gabriel Attal from Renaissance pushed back against resignation calls, warning against destabilizing the country's democratic balance (ID 97721).

These developments underscore a broader crisis enveloping France's centrist and center-right politics. As Les Républicains wrestle with internal divides and strategic uncertainty, the question remains whether they can reposition themselves effectively ahead of looming elections or risk allowing political fragmentation to deepen further.