Meyer Habib, the outgoing deputy for the 8th constituency of French citizens living abroad and a close associate of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was defeated by Macronist Caroline Yadan. This result was confirmed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Renaissance group.
Habib, who had held his seat since 2013, engaged in numerous and often heated confrontations with left-wing deputies following the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas against Israel. Despite his strong showing in Israeli polling stations, where he was the clear frontrunner, Habib was significantly outvoted in other locations within the constituency, which includes Italy, Malta, San Marino, the Vatican, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, and Israel.
A steadfast defender of Israel, the 63-year-old Franco-Israeli consistently highlighted his friendship with Netanyahu as a campaign asset.
Known for his fiery disposition, Habib had frequently clashed with radical left-wing deputies in the National Assembly over issues such as anti-Semitism and the Israel-Hamas conflict. His confrontational style often drew criticism from his political opponents, both within and outside the parliamentary chamber.
Despite his allegiance to Eric Ciotti, the leader of the Les Républicains party, who had formed an alliance with the far right, Habib faced internal divisions within the Gaullist right.
Ultimately, Caroline Yadan secured 52.70% of the vote, unseating Habib.
Caroline Yadan, a 55-year-old lawyer, joined the National Assembly in June 2022. She too has fiercely opposed left-wing deputies on matters of anti-Semitism. Following her victory, Yadan stated on X (formerly Twitter), "I will continue the fight for universal values that have always been mine, undoubtedly more so today than yesterday." She also congratulated Meyer Habib for his courage and his 12-year tenure as a deputy.
Yadan's victory marks a significant shift in the 8th constituency, reflecting broader political dynamics within France and the challenges faced by established figures like Habib in the evolving political landscape.