The High Authority of the Republicans rejected, this Monday, the candidacy for the presidency of the party of Virginie Calmels, arguing that she had retaken her card too late to join the ranks, a decision described as “maneuvers” by the candidate.
“Only party members up to date with their contributions on July 22, 2022 can be candidates for the presidency. Unless the party services are wrong, this has not been the case,” says the president of the High Authority, Henri de Beauregard, in a letter to Virginie Calmels, which AFP was able to consult.
“Likewise, after consulting the High Authority, I inform you that your request does not seem admissible,” he adds, explaining that “no reason has been found that could lead to the rejection of the application of the rule.” The July 22 deadline appears in an electoral guide, validated at the political office on July 19, “and immediately published on the movement’s website,” the email recalls.
Virginie Calmels responds with a formal notice
Virginie Calmels immediately denounced “maneuvers” aimed at “avoiding” her candidacy that “upsets 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,” he said in a statement, announcing a formal notice from his lawyer to the High Authority.
“I am well aware that my profile as an entrepreneurial woman who does not live from politics is disturbing,” she adds, also regretting not being able to speak at the back-to-school campus for LR youth on September 3 and 4 in Angers “while the other declared candidate Eric Ciotti will participate in a round table”.
Liberal and “balanced” line candidate
Virginie Calmels announced her candidacy on August 23, in a “balanced” line and “at the epicenter of the different currents of LR”. Representative of the liberal sensibility within LR, Viriginie Calmels had been fired from her position as her number 2 in June 2018 by Laurent Wauquiez, then head of the party, and in open conflict with her.
The former managing director of Endemol monde stepped away from politics and joined 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. Potential candidates have until October 3 to present the necessary sponsorships: ten from parliamentarians and 485 from deputies.
Source: BFM TV
