By-election: Michel Barnier announces his candidacy in the 2nd constituency of Paris

Former LR Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who harbors presidential ambitions, announced on Tuesday his candidacy for the by-election planned for Paris's second constituency, where the incumbent Macronist MP Jean Laussucq was declared ineligible by the Constitutional Council.

"In this very serious moment for our country (...) I have decided to put myself forward as a candidate in the by-election in the second constituency of Paris," the former Savoyard elected official said on the X network, stressing that it "is part of an effort to bring together the right and the centre."

"In order to carry a strong and confident voice for our three arrondissements, continuing my commitment to our country," said the former short-lived head of government, who is running in this constituency, which runs along the left bank of the Seine from the Luxembourg Gardens to the Eiffel Tower.

The president of the Republicans, Bruno Retailleau , welcomed this candidacy, which he presented as "a triple opportunity: for Paris, for LR and for France. He has my full support," he added. The Constitutional Council declared three deputies ineligible "for a period of one year" and "automatically resigned" from their mandates on Friday, including Jean Laussucq, elected last year in this constituency.

Jean Laussucq is accused of having paid "campaign expenses using his personal bank account" and of having allowed third parties to pay "directly a significant portion of the expenses incurred for his 2024 election campaign."

Michel Barnier's candidacy could allow the Republicans party, which supports François Bayrou's government, to win a new seat from the presidential party led by Gabriel Attal , after the one won this winter by Elisabeth de Maistre in Boulogne-Billancourt at the expense of the Macronists.

Since joining the government, the by-elections have been successful for LR, which also won a seat from the National Rally in Saône-et-Loire in June. Before his election last year, Jean Laussucq was Rachida Dati's deputy mayor of Paris's 7th arrondissement. He had secured Renaissance's nomination at the expense of outgoing MP Gilles Le Gendre, a long-time "walker."