Ciotti Seeks to Expand Right-Wing Alliance After RN Deal

Éric Ciotti, the former leader of Les Républicains, is working to expand his political alliance with Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN). This partnership began 18 months ago during the legislative elections and represents a major shift in French right-wing politics.

Ciotti, who represents the Alpes-Maritimes department, is specifically focused on winning control of the city of Nice. Despite facing challenges, he remains confident about the future of this collaboration. His objective is to transform this initial electoral agreement into a lasting political force that can reshape the French political landscape in 2026.

The political alliance between Éric Ciotti and Marine Le Pen's party represents a significant departure from traditional French political boundaries. Eighteen months ago, Ciotti made the decision to establish an unprecedented partnership with the National Rally during the legislative elections. This move broke long-standing taboos within the French right-wing political landscape.

As the former head of Les Républicains, Ciotti took a calculated risk by aligning with a party that had historically been isolated by mainstream political forces. The partnership was designed to create a more unified right-wing bloc capable of challenging the established political order. This strategic decision has positioned Ciotti as a key figure in the evolving landscape of French right-wing politics.

Ciotti's immediate political objective centers on securing victory in Nice, a major city in the Alpes-Maritimes department. The deputy views control of this municipality as crucial to demonstrating the effectiveness of his alliance strategy. Success in Nice would provide tangible proof that the partnership with the National Rally can deliver concrete political victories.

Looking beyond municipal goals, Ciotti aims to transform his initial electoral alliance into a broader political movement. The 2026 political year presents a critical opportunity to test whether this collaboration can evolve into a permanent right-wing union. His confidence stems from the belief that voters are ready for a more cohesive conservative political offering.

Despite the ambitious agenda, the alliance faces significant obstacles. The National Rally party continues to encounter various political and institutional challenges that could affect the partnership's stability. These difficulties test the resilience of the collaboration and its capacity to withstand political pressures.

Nevertheless, Éric Ciotti maintains a confident stance regarding the alliance's future. His optimism reflects a belief that the partnership has established sufficient momentum to overcome current obstacles. The deputy for Alpes-Maritimes views these challenges as temporary hurdles rather than fundamental threats to the political project he has been building since the legislative elections.

The transformation of this alliance into a lasting political force represents a potential reshaping of the French right-wing political spectrum. Éric Ciotti envisions a unified conservative bloc that can effectively compete across all levels of government. This vision requires moving beyond the initial electoral partnership to establish a coherent political platform.

As 2026 approaches, the success of this political experiment will be measured by both electoral results and the durability of the alliance itself. The Nice municipal campaign serves as a testing ground for broader national ambitions. Whether this partnership can achieve its transformative potential remains the central question facing French right-wing politics in the coming year.