The Republicans party is facing an internal crisis following Bruno Retailleau's sudden departure from the Interior Ministry. Divided between supporters of Retailleau and Laurent Wauquiez, members of the right-wing party struggle to regain unity. This comes as Nicolas Sarkozy begins a prison sentence.
The Republicans party (LR), a right-wing formation, hoped to have regained momentum with Bruno Retailleau's election as president last May. With nearly 75% of the votes, the 64-year-old Vendéen, former senator and defector from villérisme, had swept aside Laurent Wauquiez in this battle of leaders. His election marked a return to the 'cult of the leader,' inspired by Nicolas Sarkozy's doctrine that the right must hold power to exist.
Retailleau had reserved his first call as new president for the former head of state (2007-2012), who saw him as an 'unexpected Bonaparte' with the demeanor of a prelate. Sarkozy, often critical, had evolved in his view of Retailleau, initially seeing him as a conservative without stature, before recognizing himself in him during his brief stint at the Interior Ministry from September 2024 to October 2025.
For Wauquiez, Sarkozy praised the intelligence while regretting his aversion to risk. However, Retailleau's sudden departure from his ministerial post has triggered an internal crisis, pitting pro-Retailleau and pro-Wauquiez factions against each other. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, October 21, Sarkozy is set to spend his first night in prison for an undetermined duration, depriving LR leaders of his regular advice and unsparing lessons.