Laurent Wauquiez, president of the Republicans, finds himself leading a right-wing faction divided over its European orientation. He is caught between what remains of the centrist (pro-European) alliance after the departure of the most influential figures from this movement and the “eurocritical” approach, which is limited to a common market and advocates for a much more sovereignist line.
To the “social Gaullism,” a liberalism tinged with popular tones, firm on immigration or security issues without making these subjects a lure, he has preferred identity and eurosceptic tones to embody a populist alternative.
The gamble could prove to be a losing one and undermine his ambitions for the 2022 presidential election. In these times, losers have less and less opportunity to be granted a second chance!
