Will Laurent Wauquiez make his comeback to the National Assembly? The president (LR) of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region declared himself a candidate in the legislative elections to “carry the voice of Haute-Loire”. After Eric Ciotti who reaches out to the RN, Laurent Wauquiez says he does not believe in “alliances” and “combinations”.
Laurent Wauquiez launches into the battle for the legislative elections. The president (LR) of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region takes part in a press conference this Tuesday, June 11, at 1:30 p.m., from the Jacques Barrot hospital in Yssingeaux, in Haute-Loire. This is a statement because he did not wish to answer questions from journalists. He was alongside Isabelle Valentin, a former MP for whom he has been deputy since 2022.
“I made the decision to be a candidate for the legislative elections to carry the voice of Haute-Loire”declared Laurent Wauquiez. “We are convinced that there is a need for a political voice that is solid with clear values in the great disorder.” He doesn’t believe in “alliances” and to “combinations.” “We never betray”he says. “If laws are positive for the country we will vote for them, if they are not good for France we will oppose them.”
He makes health and the upgrading of pensions, as well as security, his priorities. “Zero tolerance from the first offense” he insisted. He also defends the valorization of work as well as local production. He defends relocation to Haute-Loire. “Common sense and concrete”he said. “In the coming storm, we will have to protect the Haute-Loire.”
He speaks of a “risk of collapse of our institutions.” “In a period like this, we cannot remain spectatorshe added. Haute-Loire will need a strong policy. Our department needs elected officials who have experience.” He assures that he will continue to take care “from our Region”. “With me as deputy, it is the guarantee that our territory will be heard.” He is focusing his campaign on health, rurality, security and opening up, in particular via the RN 88 construction site. He also reiterated his support for farmers and young people, in particular committed young people.
When announcing his candidacy, Laurent Wauquiez thanked his former teammate. “I decided not to run again. It was time for me to pass the torch,” explains Isabelle Valentin. She leaves her place to Caroline Di Vicenzo, who will be Laurent Wauquiez’s running mate. Aged 40, she is mayor (LR) of La Chapelle-d’Aurec and regional councilor. Isabelle Valentin will nevertheless get involved in this campaign as president of the support committee.
At midday, Laurent Wauquiez tweeted: “As madness grips French politics and France goes through a period of great instability, our country will need strong elected officials who are faithful to their convictions. The duty of the Republican Right is to offer a clear and independent voice between the impotence of “at the same time” and the leap into the unknown of the RN. There is no future for device combinations. This is the voice I will carry, without compromise, whatever the circumstances.”
This position comes as Eric Ciotti declared, at 1 p.m.: “We need an alliance” with the RN.
He presented his candidacy for the legislative elections, after the surprise announcement of the dissolution of the National Assembly on Sunday evening by Emmanuel Macron. He presents himself on his lands in Haute-Loire. A department where the RN made a significant breakthrough on Sunday during the European elections: +15.3% compared to 2019. In Haute-Loire, the RN convinced 37.8% of voters, far ahead of the PS, with 11, 7% and the presidential majority collecting 11.3% of the votes. The Republicans posted a score of 10.7% in this department during the European elections.
Laurent Wauquiez was already a deputy from 2004 to 2007 then from 2012 to 2017. If he were elected, he could become president of the LR group in the National Assembly and afford great media exposure, with the aim of presidential election of 2027. Once elected as a deputy, the candidate would have to renounce his mandate as regional president, but he could remain simply elected to the Regional Council.
