"Given the result of the presidential election, it is a very good result that we have achieved today," said LR president Christian Jacob on Sunday evening.

The Republicans thus renew their main tenors: the number 2 Annie Genevard in the Doubs, the secretary general Aurélien Pradié in the Lot, Éric Ciotti in the Alpes-maritimes, as well as Alain Marleix (Eure-et-Loir), Pierre-Henri Dumont (Pas-de-Calais), Julien Dive (Aisne), Fabien Di Filippo (Moselle)...

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

The party claims 11 conquests, notably in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, stronghold of Laurent Wauquiez.

Former primary candidate Philippe Juvin also won in Hauts-de-Seine.

LR chief Christian Jacob in Paris, June 19, 2022 Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT AFP

On the other hand LR loses its last two constituencies in Paris after the defeats of Brigitte Kuster and Francis Szpiner.

The president of the UDI Jean-Christophe Lagarde is also beaten in Seine-Saint-Denis.

Down from the hundred seats it held until then, the right will no longer be 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 call on them to bring together the 289 votes 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."

- "Spare wheel"

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

"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".

The President of Pays de la Loire Christelle Morançais also called for "building a government contract with Emmanuel Macron".

The subject promises lively debates within the party which meets Monday at 2 p.m. its strategic council.

"We will not be a stupid and nasty opposition but there is no reason for us to go and save Emmanuel Macron's skin," said Aurélien Pradié.

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

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

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 is standing up against any idea of ​​a coalition, synonymous according to it with planned disappearance.

Again Sunday morning, the boss of senators Bruno Retailleau warned in the JDD that LR would not be "the sweeper car of macronism. It would be a double betrayal of our voters".

As for Éric Ciotti, he assured him on twitter: "The Republicans will never be the spare wheel of a failing power".

© 2022 AFP