Laurent Timothée Marie Wauquiez (; born 12 April 1975) is a French politician who presided over the Regional Council of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes from 2016 to 2024. He is a member of The Republicans (LR), which he led from 2017 to 2019 following the resignation of Nicolas Sarkozy.
Wauquiez was Secretary of State for European Affairs under the Foreign Minister Alain Juppé; and previously Secretary of State for Employment under the Minister of the Economy, Industry and Employment from March 2008 in François Fillon's government. He also was Government Spokesman from June 2007 to March 2008 as Minister of State under the Prime Minister. He was elected as 2nd Vice President of the ORU Fogar at the organisation's General Assembly held in Quito, Ecuador on 16 October 2016.
On 10 December 2017, Wauquiez was elected to the presidency of The Republicans with 74% of the vote. Pundits have described him as moving the party to the right. On 2 June 2019, a week after overseeing the worst result for the right in its history in the European election with 8% of the vote, Wauquiez resigned as party president.
After 2024 legislative election, Wauquiez became president of the LR group in the National Assembly.
Early life and education Wauquiez graduated from the École normale supérieure in 1994 and Université Panthéon-Sorbonne with a masters in history and studied public law at the Institut d'études politiques de Paris (Sciences Po); he later attended the École nationale d'administration (ÉNA). He worked as professor at Emlyon Business School.
Political career Wauquiez held several governmental positions over the course of Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency. He was named the Secretary of State for Employment in 2008 and also functioned as the government spokesman. He later served as Minister of European Affairs and of Higher Education. In 2012, he was re-elected to the National Assembly and became head of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in 2015.
In 2012, Wauquiez opposed legalisation of same-sex marriage.
On 10 December 2017, Wauquiez was elected as the president of The Republicans, winning over Maël de Calan and Florence Portelli.Anne-Sylvaine Chassany (10 December 2017), France’s Republicains elect former EU affairs minister as leader Financial Times. During his time in office, he overrode party scepticism to appoint François-Xavier Bellamy to lead the LR list in the European elections. He resigned in June 2019, bowing to pressure to step down after a his party’s weak performance in the elections.Harriet Agnew (2 June 2019), Leader of France’s centre-right party quits after dismal elections Financial Times.
In August 2021, Wauquiez decided not to run as the Republicans’s candidate in the 2022 presidential election.Grégoire Poussielgue (26 August 2021), Présidentielle 2022 : Wauquiez renonce, Ciotti et Barnier se lancent Les Echos.Victor Mallet (27 August 2021), Michel Barnier makes bid for French presidency Financial Times.
Ahead of the Republicans' 2022 convention, Wauquiez endorsed Éric Ciotti as the party's chairman.Victor Boiteau (30 November 2022), Présidence LR : Wauquiez réaffirme son soutien à Ciotti Libération.
Although he had previously promised not to participate in a government coalition after the 2024 legislative election, LR ultimately joined the Barnier government, led by an LR member. After Michel Barnier's ousting, LR joined the Bayrou government.
In February 2025, Wauquiez announced his candidacy to reclaim the presidency of The Republicans, in 2025 The Republicans leadership election. Wauquiez sparked outrage in France, even within his own conservative circles, after proposing to send migrants awaiting deportation to French overseas territory Saint Pierre and Miquelon. However, he secured only 26% of the vote in the May 18 election, losing to Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau.(18 May 2025), Bruno Retailleau est élu président du parti Les Républicains avec 74,31% des voix France Info.
Personal life Wauquiez is known for wearing a red parka coat.
List of mandates and functions
Governmental functions Minister of Higher Education and Research 2011-2012 Minister for European Affairs 2010-2011 Secretary of State to the Prime Minister, Government Spokesperson 2007-2008 Secretary of State for Employment 2008-2010
Electoral mandates
National Assembly of France Member of the National Assembly of France for Haute-Loire's 1st constituency 2004-2007 (He became secretary of State in 2007) / Since 2012 Elected 2004 (by-election) Reelected 2007 and 2012.
Regional Council President of the Regional Council of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes : since 2016
Municipal Council Mayor of Le Puy-en-Velay : 2008-2016 (Resignation). Reelected in 2014.
Municipal councillor of Le Puy-en-Velay : 2008-2016 (Resignation). Reelected in 2014.
Notes and references Notes
References
External links Official government profile