Olivier Marleix ( 6 February 1971 – 7 July 2025) was a French politician who represented the 2nd constituency of the Eure-et-Loir department in the National Assembly from 2012 until his death in 2025. A member of The Republicans (LR), he presided over The Republicans group in the National Assembly from 2022 to 2024.

Political career

Prior to his election to the National Assembly in 2012, Marleix was elected as Mayor of Anet in 2008, an office he held until his resignation in 2017 to focus on his parliamentary work. He also held a seat in the General Council of Eure-et-Loir from 2008 to 2014 for the canton of Anet. From 2008 to 2011, he held one of the general council's vice presidencies under the presidency of Albéric de Montgolfier.

In parliament, Marleix served on the Committee on Legal Affairs. From 2017 until 2018, he chaired a parliamentary inquiry into whether France's government should subject foreign takeovers of French firms it has cleared to parliamentary scrutiny. In addition to his committee assignments, he was a member of the French-Moroccan Parliamentary Friendship Group.

In 2018, Marleix was appointed to the shadow cabinet of The Republicans leader Laurent Wauquiez and tasked with the industry portfolio.

After Christian Jacob's election as party leader, Marleix announced his candidacy to succeed him as leader of the party's parliamentary group in the National Assembly in November 2019; he eventually lost to Damien Abad of Ain.

Following the 2022 legislative election, Marleix again put his candidacy forward for parliamentary leader. He faced Julien Dive of Aisne, whom he defeated with 40 votes against 20. Marleix took over from acting parliamentary leader Virginie Duby-Muller on 22 June 2022.

Political positions

Technical advisor to the Presidency of the Republic under the mandate of Nicolas Sarkozy between 2009 and 2011. In the Republicans' 2016 presidential primary, Marleix endorsed former President Nicolas Sarkozy as the party's candidate for the office of President of France. In the Republicans' 2017 leadership election, he endorsed Laurent Wauquiez. Ahead of the 2022 presidential election, he publicly declared his support for Michel Barnier as the Republicans' candidate. Ahead of the party's 2022 convention, he endorsed Éric Ciotti as chairman then asked for his resignation two years later, wanting an alliance with the RN.

Personal life

Marleix is the father of two daughters.

Death

Marleix was found dead at his home in Anet, Eure-Et-Loir, on 7 July 2025, at the age of 54. Paris Match reported that the police had conducted a welfare check at his home after he had missed an appointment with Anet's mayor, Aliette Le Bihan; his body was found hanged in the upstairs bedroom. An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of his death, as well as an autopsy.