Valérie Beauvais: Outgoing Républicains Department President & Reims Mayor’s Deputy in Focus

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The right-wing political landscape in Reims, France, is experiencing internal divisions as the departmental federation of Les Républicains (LR) faces tension with the centrist party Horizons, led by former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. Valérie Beauvais, the outgoing president of the LR departmental federation and first deputy mayor of Reims under the Horizons coalition, has become a focal point of this split.

The conflict highlights broader fractures within the French right, as LR and Horizons, which emerged from the 2020 merger of the Union of Democrats and Independents (UDI) and the Republican party, compete for influence in local and national politics. Beauvais, a prominent figure in the LR, has maintained her role in the Horizons-led administration of Reims, raising questions about loyalty and strategic alignment within the right-wing bloc.

This division comes amid a critical period for French politics, as the right seeks to consolidate its position ahead of upcoming regional elections. Analysts suggest that the tension between LR and Horizons reflects ideological and tactical disagreements, particularly over economic policies and regional governance.

Beauvais’s dual role underscores the complex interplay between party lines and municipal governance. While she remains a key figure in LR, her participation in the Horizons-led coalition has drawn scrutiny from within her own party. A statement from LR headquarters emphasized the importance of unity but did not directly address the situation in Reims.

The situation in Reims is part of a larger national trend, where the right’s fragmentation has created opportunities for other political movements. Horizons, which has positioned itself as a centrist alternative, continues to attract former LR members, further complicating the party’s efforts to maintain cohesion.

As the political landscape evolves, the outcome of this internal dispute in Reims could serve as a microcosm of the challenges facing the French right in the 2026 election cycle.

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Political Context and Key Figures

Valérie Beauvais, 55, has been a central figure in the LR since 2016, serving as the departmental federation’s president. Her role as first deputy mayor of Reims under the Horizons coalition, led by Mayor Valérie Létard, has placed her at the intersection of local and national politics. Létard, a Horizons member, has been vocal about her party’s commitment to centrist policies, which some LR members view as diverging from traditional right-wing principles.

The split between LR and Horizons is not unique to Reims. Nationally, Horizons has drawn support from moderate Republicans, creating friction within LR’s ranks. This dynamic has been exacerbated by the party’s struggle to define its identity in the post-Macron era, with some members advocating for a more radical right-wing agenda and others favoring a pragmatic, centrist approach.

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Implications for the 2026 Elections

The internal divisions in Reims reflect a broader challenge for the French right ahead of the 2026 regional elections. Analysts note that the fragmentation of the right could benefit the far-right National Rally (RN), which has gained momentum by appealing to disaffected