Sarkozy’s UMP party takes step closer to becoming ‘Les Republicains’

France’s UMP (Union for Popular Movement) party, headed by former president Nicolas Sarkozy, took a step closer on the 5 May 2015 to changing its name to ‘Les Republicains’ following a vote by its leaders.

The proposed name change, which had proved controversial amongst both the UMP’s own supporters and its detractors, would now go before a vote of the party’s rank and file members for final approval.

Mr Sarkozy won a court fight from leftwing associations on the 26 May 2015 for the right to rename his the UMP party 'The Republicans' ('Les Républicains'). A final vote in the UMP took place on the 29 May 2015, with 83% supportng the change of name.

ESO: Background information: Sarkozy’s French local election victory sets the stage for the run up to the next presidential election http://www.europeansources.info/record/sarkozys-french-local-election-victory-sets-the-stage-for-the-run-up-to-the-next-presidential-election/

Politico, 06.05.15: Sarkozy closer to having his Républicains http://www.politico.eu/article/sarkozy-closer-to-having-his-republicains/

The Local.fr, 27.05.15: Sarkozy free to rename party 'Les Républicains' http://www.thelocal.fr/20150527/sarkozy-free-to-rename-party-the-republicans

France24, 26.05.15: Sarkozy wins court fight to rename his party ‘Les Républicains’ http://www.france24.com/en/20150526-sarkozy-court-rename-ump-republicains

BBC News, 30.05.15: Sarkozy renames French opposition The Republicans http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32941458

Deutsche Welle, 30.05.15: 'Republican' Sarkozy uses party congress speech to slam Socialists http://dw.de/p/1FZZF

France24, 30.05.15: Sarkozy boosted by support for new 'Républicains' party http://www.france24.com/en/20150530-sarkozy-nicolas-les%20republicains-french-republicans-party-congress

Politico, 29.05.15: Sarkozy scores ‘Républicain’ victory http://www.politico.eu/article/sarkozy-nears-republicain-victory/

Politico, 28.09.15: The new old kid in French politics http://www.politico.eu/article/juppes-challenge-sarkozy-successor-election-france-republicains-hollande/

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