It’s a first step. The justice considered that the Republicans did not have to reject the candidacy for the head of this party of Virginie Calmels, suspending this decision pending a judgment on the merits, according to the decision in summary that AFP has could consult this Wednesday.
The Paris court, which ruled urgently, “suspends the effects attached to the decision of inadmissibility of the candidacy” of the former deputy of Alain Juppé at the town hall of Bordeaux, and “condemns Les Républicains” to him pay “the sum of 5,000 euros”, says this judgment. “Here I am restored to my rights”, welcomed Virginie Calmels on Twitter.
The High Authority of LR had rejected her candidacy on August 29, arguing that she was not up to date with her contribution on July 22, 2022. But this condition, “having been published and communicated to members only on July 25, 2022. July 2022, necessarily deprived Ms. Calmels of the possibility of regularizing her contribution for the deadline of July 22, ”estimates the court.
A judge must consider the clauses
In addition, this date of 22 “must be seen, obviously, as a new condition compared to those provided for by the statutes and the internal regulations” which themselves “include ambiguous clauses”, notes the court, which refers to the trial judge an assessment of these clauses.
Virginie Calmels announced her candidacy on August 23, on a “balanced” line and “at the epicenter of the different currents of LR”. He must now meet the sponsorship conditions (485 members and 10 parliamentarians) to be able to present himself.
The election of the president of LR is scheduled for the weekend of December 3. The declared candidates are the deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes Éric Ciotti, the boss of the senators LR Bruno Retailleau, the secretary general of LR Aurélien Pradié and the mayor of Orléans Serge Grouard.