The candidacy of Virgine Calmels for the presidency of the Republicans rejected by the high authority of the party

The former number two of the Republicans (LR) Virginie Calmels had announced to the Figaro her candidacy for the party presidency. But the high authority of LR decided to reject, Monday, August 29, her candidacy, arguing that she had taken her card too late to put herself in the ranks.

“Can only be candidates for the presidency of the party members up to date with their contributions on July 22, 2022. Unless the party services are mistaken, this was not your case”says the president of the high authority, Henri de Beauregard, in a letter to Mr.^me Calmels that Agence France-Presse (AFP) was able to consult.

“Also, after consulting the high authority, I inform you that your application does not appear admissible”he adds, explaining that“no reason has been found likely to lead to the rule not being applied”. The deadline of July 22 appears in an electoral guide, validated in the political office on July 19, “and immediately put online on the movement’s website”recalls the courier.

Read also: Presidency of the LR party: Aurélien Pradié, François-Xavier Bellamy and Michel Barnier interested

“Clean up a party that really needs it! »

M^me Calmels immediately denounced “manoeuvres” aiming to ” to avoid “ his candidacy which “shakes up a well-oiled scenario written in advance”. “These attempts to prevent my candidacy only strengthen my determination to clean up a party that really needs it! »she said in a press release, announcing a formal notice from her lawyer to the high authority. “I am well aware that my profile as a female entrepreneur who does not live from politics is disturbing”she adds, also regretting not being able to speak at the back-to-school campus for young LRs, on September 3 and 4 in Angers, “while the other declared candidate Eric Ciotti will participate in a round table”. M^me Calmels had announced his candidacy on August 23, on a line “balanced” and “at the epicenter of the different currents of LR”.

Why go to so much trouble for me not to be a candidate? I never imagined that we could use such m… https://t.co/i4ggTJblwK

— Virginie Calmels (@Virginie Calmels)

Representative of the liberal sensibility within the right-wing party, M^me Calmels had been sacked from her position as number two in June 2018 by Laurent Wauquiez, then party president, and in open conflict with her. The former general manager of Endemol monde then left politicsjoining the luxury real estate group Barnes in 2019, before launching a digital school in 2020.

The election of the president of LR is scheduled for the weekend of December 3. Prospective applicants have until October 3 to submit their sponsorships. The deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes Eric Ciotti and the mayor of Orléans, Serge Grouard – who pleaded for a “government agreement” with the presidential majority – are already candidates. The deputy of Lot Aurélien Pradié could also present himself, on a more social line.

Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers Laurent Wauquiez renounced the presidency of LR, opening the game and plunging the party into uncertainty

The World with AFP