Conservative LR Expels Leader Ciotti After Pact w/Far-Right

Le Monde reportingthat the political bureau of the conservative Les Republicains (Republicans, LR) have voted unanimously to expel party leader Eric Ciotti after he (seemingly unilaterally) announced that the party would be looking into an electoral pact with the far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally, RN). François-Xavier Bellamy, head of the LR list in the European Parliament election and Annie Genevard, LR general secretary, will act as interim joint leaders.

• In a day of high drama, Ciotti earlier ordered the closure of the LR party HQ and instructed employees to work remotely. The political bureau met there to hold its emergency meeting to expel Ciotti, only for the erstwhile leader to send bailiffs to the offices to seek their removal.
• A RN-LR electoral pact would have significantly increased the prospect of the right winning an overall majority in the upcoming snap legislative elections. It remains to be seen what impact today's events will have. A swing back to the Gaullist centre-right could see a boost for LR among right-leaning voters displeased with President Emmanuel Macron but still wary of the far-right.
• Alternatively, the chaotic incidents in the party could push these voters towards RN and result in a near electoral wipe-out for LR.