The Les Républicains party suspended six of its members on Wednesday for joining the Sébastien Lecornu II government, highlighting an internal rift following Bruno Retailleau's departure. The decision, approved by a majority of the political bureau, aims to preserve the party's independence against what it sees as a leftward shift. Retailleau, with no regrets, reaffirmed his critical stance in a TV interview.
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the political bureau of Les Républicains (LR), meeting for over two hours at party headquarters, voted to suspend six of its members who are ministers in the Sébastien Lecornu II government until further notice. The sanction, proposed by secretary general Othman Nasrou, a close ally of Bruno Retailleau, was approved by a show of hands from about 40 members, against six opponents including Laurent Wauquiez, Jean-François Copé, and Xavier Bertrand.
The ministers affected are Rachida Dati (Culture), Annie Genevard (Agriculture), Philippe Tabarot (Transports), Vincent Jeanbrun (Housing), Sébastien Martin (Industry), and Nicolas Forissier (Foreign Trade). The party's statement justifies the measure by stating that «remaining in this government would amount to melting into Macronism, renouncing the independence and convictions that underpin our commitment». It denounces the government's «leftward orientation», citing the abandonment of pension reform and the proliferation of tax increases, such as an «exceptional contribution» on great fortunes or a tax on holdings' assets.
This decision comes three weeks after Bruno Retailleau's abrupt departure from the government, which he helped topple via a tweet criticizing Bruno Le Maire's appointment to the Armies. On October 14, Sébastien Lecornu's general policy speech confirmed Retailleau's fears, whom he compares the budget roadmap to that of «a socialist prime minister». On Thursday, October 23, on LCI, Retailleau stood by his choice: «Zero regrets», he said, adding he «would have been unhappy» to stay, as «the ship was taking a direction different from the Républicains' convictions». He claims his exit, stating: «Everything proves I was right».