"Shock wave", "Republican adversary", "man of convictions"... Tributes have been pouring in since the announcement of the death of LR MP Olivier Marleix

"A shockwave." This Monday, July 7, the political world learned of the death of LR MP Olivier Marleix. The Les Républicains MP for Eure-et-Loir, who chaired the right-wing MP group from 2022 to 2024, took his own life.

The parliamentarian was found dead at his home in Anet, according to Chartres public prosecutor Frédéric Chevallier. Olivier Marleix was "found in an upstairs room, hanged," he said. The man was the father of two daughters.

Aged 54 and close to former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, Olivier Marleix supported Bruno Retailleau's candidacy for the presidency of the Republicans this spring, against Laurent Wauquiez, who succeeded him last year as president of the LR deputies.

Following the announcement of his death, several political figures paid tribute to the MP.

"The passing of Olivier Marleix plunges our Parliament into mourning. An experienced politician, he defended his ideas with conviction . I also respected our differences since they were placed in the light of our love for our country. I extend my condolences to his family, to his father Alain, and to all his fellow activists," wrote Emmanuel Macron on X.

The passing of Olivier Marleix plunges our Parliament into mourning. An experienced politician, he defended his ideas with conviction. I also respected our differences since they were placed in the light of our love for our country.

I send my condolences...

For Nicolas Sarkozy, this passing is "an immense sadness." "It is with immense sadness that I learned of the tragic passing of Olivier Marleix. Olivier was a valuable collaborator at the Élysée, a loyal supporter whose commitment never failed me. He was above all a passionate MP, deeply attached to his region and its inhabitants. My heartfelt thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. France has lost an exemplary servant today. NS."

Michel Barnier paid the same tribute: " Olivier Marleix was an upright, republican, Gaullist man. He had a strong sense of loyalty. He loved France. He was my friend. I share his family's grief."

François Hollande praised him as a " man of convictions ": "Olivier Marleix was a man of convictions. His loyalty to his party did not distract him from the respect he elegantly displayed for ideas that were not his own. He served the public interest with the passion his family had instilled in him. I extend my full solidarity to his loved ones and his political friends."

Bruno Retailleau, for his part, is "infinitely sad." "I am infinitely saddened to learn the terrible news of the death of our dear Olivier Marleix. My thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, and his colleagues. Our grief is immense," the minister wrote on X.

Philippe Tabarot praised a "committed MP." "I learned with immense sadness of the death of Olivier Marleix. A MP committed to the recovery of our country , a grassroots elected official devoted to his region of Eure-et-Loir, and former President of the LR group in the National Assembly, his passing leaves a great void. I extend my most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."

The President of the National Assembly paid tribute to the Eure-et-Loire MP: "The National Assembly is in mourning. Olivier Marleix devoted himself selflessly to his region and to our democracy. He was upright, rigorous, and profoundly human. Deeply saddened, I offer my most sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and colleagues. I will propose to the Conference of Presidents that a tribute be paid to him tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the Chamber."

Prime Minister François Bayrou expressed his "shock" and "immense sadness" in response to the MP's suicide in a message published on X. "His tall figure will be missed," said the head of government, who will also pay tribute to him on Tuesday morning during a trip to Chartres, in the MP's neighbouring constituency. "We never realise the fragility of human beings," added Mr Bayrou.

The National Assembly observed a minute of silence in tribute to the LR deputy.

"I am deeply saddened to confirm that our colleague Olivier Marleix has passed away. It's a shockwave ," said Naïma Moutchou (Horizons) from the floor, announcing that a tribute would be paid to him on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in the chamber. Patrick Mignola, Minister for Relations with Parliament, praised a member of parliament "unanimously recognized as a formidable but always loyal orator."

"He was a grassroots, rigorous elected official, committed to serving his ideas ," reacted Marine Le Pen, president of the RN group.

Renaissance's boss, Gabriel Attal, further described him as " a man of passion and conviction, who sincerely defended his ideals," "a seasoned parliamentarian, for whom strong ideas could be exchanged with respect," and "an elected official who was very close to the French people, who drew the roots of his commitment from the grassroots."

Former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne also highlighted the late MP's "Gaullist convictions" and "respect for his opponents."

Jean-Luc Mélenchon praised an "adversary": " Amazement. I had the honor of representing Mr. Olivier Marleix; he was an honorable and respected adversary. His commitment to French sovereignty allowed for sincere dialogue. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."

Manuel Bompard, for his part, paid tribute to a " political opponent who was always respectful " with whom he "enjoyed debating".

Eric Coquerel had a thought for " a worthy representative of a truly republican right." "I learned with great emotion of the passing of Olivier Marleix. It is a shock. He was the worthy representative of a truly republican right, with whom we still knew we shared common values, even if only on issues of sovereignty. We could disagree while engaging with him in a tolerant and humane manner. He will be greatly missed by the assembly. I extend my most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."

Closer to home, Christelle d'Intorni paid tribute to the MP on X: "It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Olivier Marleix. I am devastated by this news. Olivier was a passionate man, committed to justice and the debate of ideas, always listening to his colleagues and concerned about the general interest. I will remember him as a determined parliamentarian, respected by all, and as an attentive and caring colleague. My most sincere thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, and all those who were lucky enough to cross his path."

Just like Eric Ciotti. "Words fail me. The shock is absolute. Olivier Marleix was a lifelong friend. We worked together passionately, he as group president, me as party president. Today, I mourn his passing and think with sorrow of his family. He had service to the State and a love of France in his bones. He was a great servant of public affairs, as demanding as he was brilliant. A tireless Gaullist and a fierce defender of this land of Eure-et-Loir, so French that he loved so much. The National Assembly, like political life, will never be the same without him. Serving the Republic was the honor of his life. Being his friend, one of the honors of mine. Farewell and thank you, dear Olivier," wrote the UDR leader on X.

Christian Estrosi, for his part, praised a "courageous" man. "It is with immense emotion that I learned of the passing of my friend Olivier Marleix. We fought so many battles together and shared so many values. A courageous, committed, and enlightened man. A true Gaullist. I want to express to his father, my friend Alain Marleix, with whom we worked so hard for our country, as well as to his loved ones, how much I share their grief. I send them my most sincere and affectionate thoughts," wrote the mayor of Nice.

Laure Lavalette, for her part, praised a "passionate and committed" elected official. " Passionate and committed, Olivier Marleix is ​​one of those elected officials who inspires so many others. May all the kindness in the world descend upon the Marleix family. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his loved ones, his friends, the residents of Anet, the Eurelians, and our LR colleagues in the National Assembly."

David Lisnard describes him as an "atypical character with a tempestuous personality." "The sudden and dramatic departure of Olivier Marleix is ​​a shock. Atypical and with a tempestuous personality, a parliamentarian with recognized expertise in many areas, including industry and energy, Olivier Marleix is ​​leaving a world that was becoming unbearable for his sensibilities. With deepest sympathy, I extend my sincere condolences to his family and my respectful affection to his father, Alain."