President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday entrusted Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne with the mission of "enlarging the majority", a mission that promises to be particularly difficult given the damage caused by the adoption by forceps of the pension reform.

"This question (of enlarging the majority to LR) does not arise. It could have arisen the day after the last legislative elections but neither Emmanuel Macron nor the Republicans wanted it. I don't see what would change this equation today," Ciotti said in an interview with Le Figaro published Sunday.

"Any individual poaching will contribute to a radicalization of positions," warns the deputy of Alpes-Maritimes. "We were elected in opposition to Emmanuel Macron, on the respect of a strong and coherent right. This is what will continue to guide me," he insists.

According to him, "The Republicans are the only and last alternative to the terrifying clash between Mr. Mélenchon and Ms. Le Pen that looms in the second round of the presidential election, in 2027."

The Republicans appeared more divided than ever after the use of 49.3 on pension reform, 19 LR deputies out of 61 having voted a motion of censure against the government, even if it meant going against the current of their leaders who supported the reform.

"The duty of coherence has been thwarted by the desire of some of our parliamentarians and also our activists, to first express their opposition to Emmanuel Macron. I can understand that feeling. I understand less the desire of others to use this difficult debate to try a personal escape to the detriment of the unity of their party, "commented the president of LR justifying having removed Aurélien Pradié his function as vice-president.

Mr. Ciotti indicated that "in a few days" he would appoint, as he had promised, "twenty strong personalities to embody a counter-government responsible for monitoring a ministerial department, in a critical and programmatic way".

"I have also decided that we will change headquarters within the year, we are looking for the venue," he announced.

© 2023 AFP