The leader of the Republicans announces his departure from the party after criticising the new “Macronist” government

September 23 () –

The leader of the conservative Republicans, Eric Ciotti, announced this Sunday that he is leaving the party after the presentation of the new French government, supported precisely by his party, which has also won ministerial portfolios, considering that it is of a “Macronist” nature, since the majority of the positions are occupied by Together for the Republic, a coalition led by the president, Emmanuel Macron.

“I recognise the dissolution of the Republicans’ General Staff in the Macron government. This government is not a cohabitation government. It is a Macronist government, with some members of the Republicans as guarantors and alibi,” Ciotti explained during an interview with the French newspaper ‘Le Figaro’.

He then urged party members to join his new formation, the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), although he closed the door to current members of the French cabinet. “It will no longer be possible to work with those in Emmanuel Macron’s government, but I call on all elected officials, parliamentarians and activists to join me,” he added.

The politician has said that he intends to “rebuild a great political family” with a programme based on “authority, identity and freedom” and similar to that of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, whom he had previously informed along with Joan Bardella of his decision to leave the party.

Ciotti has been involved in a controversy with other senior members of his party since he asked for a pact with far-right parties, after which the board of directors approved his expulsion, which could not be carried out due to an order from the French courts.