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France’s Health Minister Stéphanie Rist Puts Seat and Post on the Line in Loiret By‑Election

Her cabinet role now hinges on a contest expected to be decided by turnout.

Overview

  • Voters in Loiret’s 1st constituency go to the polls on Sunday, January 18, with a potential runoff on January 25.
  • The by-election was triggered after Rist entered government in October 2025 and her 2024 substitute, Stéphane Chouin, declined to take her National Assembly seat.
  • Rist has vowed to resign as health minister if she is defeated in the local vote.
  • She is running with a new substitute, Horizons mayor Marie-Philippe Lubet, who would assume the Assembly seat if Rist wins while serving in the cabinet.
  • Opponents include Ghislaine Kounowski (left alliance), Houari Belgherbi (LFI), and Tiffanie Rabault (RN), with turnout expected around 15–20% in a constituency where Rist trailed Kounowski by 69 votes in the 2024 first round.