David Lisnard slams the door on the Republicans and denounces a party without direction

This is a break that is shaking the French right. David Lisnard, mayor of Cannes and president of the Association of Mayors of France, announced on Wednesday that he was distancing himself from The Republicans. Appearing on BFMTV, the leader of the New Energy movement denounced a party "without clarity, without coherence, without consistency," pointing in particular to an internal process deemed "rigged" for selecting the candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Re-elected by a wide margin with over 80% of the vote in Cannes in the first round on March 15, David Lisnard has established himself for several months as a unique voice on the right, committed to a liberal approach and a fundamental overhaul of political practices. Faced with the scenarios chosen by the LR leadership for 2027, he rejects what he considers "political maneuvering" and calls for a "large, open primary," which he believes can truly revitalize his party.

Amid persistent divisions within the right-wing party, his decision appears symptomatic of a deeper malaise. Caught between those favoring an internal nomination, those advocating a broader primary, and those pursuing competing strategies, the Republicans are struggling to reach a consensus. David Lisnard, for his part, has chosen to distance himself from this turmoil in order to champion a more direct and assertive vision of political competition.

This departure, which should be formalized after discussions with Bruno Retailleau, could reshuffle the cards on the right. By positioning himself outside traditional structures, David Lisnard intends to embody a credible alternative, relying on clarity and unity to have an impact on the 2027 presidential election.