David Lisnard

Lisnard announces that he is leaving Les Républicains after the party's executive refuses to organise a broad open primary across the right for 2027. He describes the proposed members' ballot as a 'biased vote' and a 'rigged vote', arguing that the party is controlling its selection process in favour of Bruno Retailleau.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Attribution

Personally implicated

As part of his presidential pre-campaign, Lisnard presents a plan against bureaucracy by symbolically shredding copies of the labour, environmental and public procurement codes, shouting 'Afuera! Viva la libertad!', an acknowledged reference to Javier Milei. The left denounces a libertarian shift and some on the right remain sceptical.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After approximately 600 film professionals sign a statement criticising Vincent Bolloré and the head of Canal+ suggests he may stop working with some signatories, Lisnard defends the group and considers it 'bad faith' or 'masochistic' to bite 'the hand that feeds you'. In the same context, he calls 'wokeism' 'fascism' and says he rejects quotas in artistic works.

State of the evidence

Documented

As head of the AMF, Lisnard accuses the executive of recentralising the country and unfairly blaming local authorities for rising public expenditure. In May 2024, he challenges Emmanuel Macron to a public debate on local finances; in November, the AMF launches a campaign against several billion euros in savings demanded of local authorities.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following the annulment of much of the immigration law, Lisnard criticises the Constitutional Council's decision and maintains that reception centres cannot be imposed on rural municipalities without mayors' consent, arguing that France accepts more people than its housing and security capacity permits.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Cannes opens Covid-19 vaccination appointments to people over 50 without underlying conditions ahead of the national timetable. The government expresses irritation and reiterates that priorities must be respected, creating a dispute between Lisnard and the executive.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

François Baroin's decision to back Lisnard as his successor at the Association des maires de France sparks internal opposition, with some elected officials denouncing a 'fait du prince' (arbitrary decision by a leader). For the first time, two lists genuinely compete for the presidency amid disagreement over relations with Emmanuel Macron.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Attribution

Directly implicated

In Cannes, Lisnard signs one of the first French decrees targeting religiously connoted swimwear, quickly characterised as an anti-burkini decree. He justifies the measure on grounds of security, the state of emergency and opposition to symbols of Islamist extremism. Associations denounce it as a discriminatory measure targeting Muslim women.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Enforcement of the Cannes decree results in women being fined on beaches and fuels international controversy over religious freedom, secularism and targeting of Muslim women. One woman is fined while wearing a headscarf and covering clothing without swimming.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

The succession of Bernard Brochand in Cannes sparks open conflict between David Lisnard and Philippe Tabarot. The UMP declines to choose between them. Lisnard accuses the Tabarot camp of 'factional', violent and clannish methods, while Tabarot describes Lisnard as harsh, vindictive and convinced of his own superiority.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated