The political office of Les Républicains took a drastic decision following the latest developments involving their president, Eric Ciotti. Yesterday's extraordinary meeting led to the “unanimous” expulsion of Ciotti from the party, as stated in a statement released at the end of the meeting. Tensions had skyrocketed after Ciotti announced an agreement with the National Rallycausing a profound internal crisis.
In response to the measures taken against him, Ciotti declared: “I am and remain the president of our political formation, elected by the members.” Furthermore, in his own words, the meeting in which the decision was made did not follow regular protocol: “This afternoon's meeting took place in flagrant violation of our statute – none of the decisions made at this meeting have legal consequences. But it can have criminal consequences.”
François-Xavier Bellamyvice president, e Anne Genevardgeneral secretary, have taken over the presidency ad interimLes Républicainsas reported Le Figaro. During the same meeting, it was also underlined that the party “will present candidates to the French with clarity and independence” in view of the next legislative elections, confirming the National Investiture Commission in its current form.
The agreement between Le Pen and the Gaullists was in fact shaking up the French political scene. Ciotti, with his political maneuver, tried to undertake a path that clearly broke with the party's tradition. “The forces of chaos threaten our country today, we have a line to maintain – said the new interim president François-Xavier Bellamy – We are capable of bringing together our voters and acting as a bulwark. It is our responsibility to take on this clarity and this is the role I will take on together with Annie Genevard”