Health Minister Stéphanie Rist faces a partial legislative election in Loiret's 1st constituency on January 18 and 25, following her deputy's refusal to replace her in government. The 52-year-old rheumatologist must persuade voters of her new alternate's legitimacy, Marie-Philippe Lubet. If not reelected, she will submit her resignation.
Stéphanie Rist, a Renaissance deputy elected in 2017 for Loiret's 1st constituency, finds herself in an unexpected electoral campaign. Appointed Health Minister on October 12, 2025, she had to vacate her National Assembly seat due to non-cumulation rules. Her initial alternate, Stéphane Chouin, declined to take over, preferring to keep his local councilor role ahead of municipal elections.
Foreseeing a potential government role, Rist had switched alternates in 2024, choosing Marie-Philippe Lubet, a local official from Horizons. In response, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called a partial election in mid-October 2025, within the three-month legal timeframe. The first round is set for January 18, with the second on January 25.
Amid a liberal doctors' strike lasting over ten days, the 52-year-old minister is campaigning for the third time. She must defend her record while validating her alternate's suitability to voters. A loss would mean resigning from government, amid already strained politics for the Macron majority.
