Who will embody the right wing in 2027? Leading figure of the Republicans, Jean-François Copé reveals in a book the rise of populism and division within his own camp, When Populists Betray the People (Plon). And what does he think of those who push the boundaries within his party?
“The Republicans (LR) have not become a populist party, but unfortunately, there is a split,” regrets the mayor of Meaux in our interview on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, citing the “extremely complacent” “stance of François-Xavier Bellamy towards the National Rally.” As a reminder, the deputy votes with populist parties in the European Parliament.
“Gérard Larcher, Michel Barnier, Valérie Pécresse, Xavier Bertrand, or even myself consider that it would be the worst option to ally with the RN,” adds the former president of the UMP. For him, the example of some electoral alliances between the PS and LFI is the best example. “Look at the state of the PS for having compromised with LFI.”
“For me, the LR line is very clear: it is that of a complex-free right, which embraces its values of order and progress because, precisely, we are completely impermeable to the RN,” he concluded.
These divisions are likely to complicate LR’s task in the coming months, which has set itself the goal of finding a single candidate “from the right and center” for the 2027 presidential elections by this summer.
