Credited with 45 to 78 deputies, the right-wing elected officials (LR-UDI and various right-wingers) risk however finding themselves behind the National Rally, which has achieved a historic breakthrough by multiplying by at least ten its number of elected officials.

"Given the result of the presidential election, it is a very good result that we have achieved today", since "we are in the upper range" of the forecasts and that "we will exceed it", said the president on Sunday evening. by LR Christian Jacob.

If Christian Jacob does not represent himself, his successor Isabelle Perigault keeps the constituency.

The party can even show conquests, especially in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, stronghold of Laurent Wauquiez.

This is not enough to save their status as the first opposition group in the hemicycle.

The Republicans could however play a singular role in the future assembly because no majority is emerging.

In theory, Emmanuel Macron could appeal to the LRs to reach the 289 seats of the absolute majority.

Government spokeswoman Olivia Grégoire said on France 2: "We have always had an outstretched hand. Whether it's LR or the moderate socialists, we have managed to get a number of amendments on board. do more? Certainly. Is that the message tonight? Most definitely."

At LR, the idea was clearly rejected by the party leadership.

- "Stringing pearls" -

"We campaigned in the opposition, we are in the opposition, we will remain in the opposition", affirmed Mr. Jacob for whom "there is no ambiguity".

As for Jean-François Copé, he spoke "in a personal capacity", he added.

Mayor LR de Meaux had just repeated his idea of ​​a "government pact" with Emmanuel Macron, believing that "it is up to the Republican right to save the country".

How will this opposition, which despite everything wants to be responsible, work on the right?

"We will make proposals and we will expect the government to support them," said former minister Rachida Dati, assuring that LR will be "a decisive bloc".

Mayor LR of the 7th arrondissement of Paris, January 22, 2022 Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT AFP / Archives

"We will not be a stupid and nasty opposition but there is no reason for us to go save the skin of Emmanuel Macron", affirmed on France 2 Aurélien Pradié for whom "the young generation does not return to the Assembly to string beads".

Because LR is "at the center of the game but will only agree to govern on its program", summarized Senator LR Marc-Philippe Daubresse.

Former European Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said: "In the serious situation in which our country finds itself, our opposition group will be independent, free and responsible".

The hard wing of the party in particular is headwind against any idea of ​​coalition, synonymous with planned disappearance according to them, by completing the long undermining work initiated by Emmanuel Macron.

Again on Sunday morning, the boss of senators Bruno Retailleau warned in the JDD: "We do not have to be the sweeper of macronism. It would be a double betrayal of our voters" who "have given a clear mandate: to sit in opposition".

© 2022 AFP