Sarkozy led Republican party to undergo overhaul

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy's party announced on Monday that a big change in party leadership structure was on the cards following Sunday’s poll results. According to reliable sources, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, the current number two of the party, will not be a part of the new leadership. 

Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet is the current number two of the Republican party. AFP/Bertrand Guay

The party office announced a new leadership will be in place in January.

The announcement came after Kosciusko-Morizet had heavily criticized the position adopted by Sarkozy during the regional elections this weekend.

She had appealed for the “union vote” against the far right Front National wherever it was necessary, even if it meant giving up regions to the Socialist Party.

However, Sarkozy stood firm on the issue of 'ni, ni', meaning neither the Socialist Party nor the Front National.

When questioned by journalists, Sarkozy said he wants a new team for more coherent. “We prefer that our party leaders explain the party position and nothing else,” Sarkozy said.

On Sunday, the centre-right alliance took seven regions while the ruling Socialists won in five.

But the key to the victory over the FN was the Socialists' decision to withdraw their candidates in the regions where the Front National was standing.