Overview

• Michel Barnier was officially designated by Les Républicains to contest the Paris 2nd constituency by-election after Jean Laussucq’s annulment.
• Rachida Dati has announced a dissident run for the same seat despite facing a corruption and influence-peddling trial.
• Barnier publicly appealed to Dati to step aside in exchange for his backing of her bid for the Paris mayoralty.
• Les Républicains leaders have held mediation talks to broker a truce before the autumn campaign begins.
• The by-election is a test of LR’s capacity to contain internal rivalries ahead of the 2026 municipal and 2027 presidential races.