They dream of restoring their coat of arms tarnished by defeat, by almost three years of stubborn opposition that have eclipsed them from the debates, from the spirits. And finally ballot boxes. But at the start of 2020, The Republicans want to believe it: it would be the moment when they never put their foot in the door, to make their voices heard. Unless it disappears for good?
While the government is struggling to get out of a pension reform deemed necessary, but become illegible, the right wants to make an impression. "They are confused, we must be clear. It may be our time, ”says the boss of LR deputies, Damien Abad. “The force of attraction of the President of the Republic loses at mid-term, it is a law of gravity. We can become more audible from now on, ”adds his colleague from Eure-et-Loir Olivier Marleix.
Three major thematic projects launched by the party
The party led by Christian Jacob and LR parliamentarians present this Wednesday their proposals for a pension reform more "fair" socially, insisting on taking into account the arduousness at work. One way, they hope, to mark their difference with the Macron reform. It is also this month that the deputies of the Republicans inaugurate their “ideas pole”, a new structure supposed to water the right in order to prepare the alternation in 2022.
For its part, the party will successively launch three major thematic projects over the coming semester - first on disability, on the question of authority, then on salaries - and will hold a “big congress of ideas” this summer . Former interim president Jean Leonetti is working on launching an independent foundation, which would serve as a laboratory of ideas for LR. Objective: formulate strong proposals that would allow them to exist, while they have hitherto been stifled by the Macron-Le Pen duel.
"Our record has been scratched since 2007"
Wishful thinking? On the right, we recognize, it's been a long time since we have managed to formulate an original political offer. "Our record has been scratched since 2007," admits a deputy. "We live in nostalgia, and this backwardness is a bit morbid," agrees a senior party official. But it is not said that even by playing with the elbows, the right can find its lost space. "Our voters are not betting on Macron's failure, for the moment, they say they are wait and see . But its base is fragile, ”says Olivier Marleix.
"Today, there is no window for the right", understands for his part a connoisseur of the party, convinced that the Jacob presidency will not change anything. And that The Republicans gesticulate in vain. "When a party tells you that its strong point is the territories, it is that it will die," continues the same.
Another big problem: LR is still looking for its hero. The party acquired a leader in the fall, but it still lacks a leader. The mayor of Troyes François Baroin, the most courted of all, remains behind for the moment. The regional presidents Valérie Pécresse (Ile-de-France) and Xavier Bertrand (Hauts-de-France) are giving voice, but they have left the party. So Emmanuel Macron may well stumble: if there is no one in front of him to raise the glove, the right will never be a danger for the current president.