World
FRANCIA Édouard Philippe again rejects a right-and-center primary in France
The Horizons presidential candidate ruled out joining a primary promoted by Gabriel Attal, calling it divisive. According to France Info, he is betting on emerging outside that process as the natural figure of the centrist bloc.
Édouard Philippe has again ruled out taking part in a right-and-center primary ahead of France’s presidential election. Speaking on TF1, the Horizons candidate said such a contest would create division and confusion.
According to France Info, the idea had been revived by Gabriel Attal at a time when he was losing ground in opinion polls, but it was rejected by several of his main rivals within the same political camp.
Philippe also argued that a primary would bring together forces with conflicting positions: on one side, those he sees as continuing Macronism, such as Attal, and on the other, figures opening the way to a broader alliance of the right, including Bruno Retailleau and David Lisnard.
Stéphane Zumsteeg, head of politics and public opinion at Ipsos-BVA, said the refusal was consistent with Philippe’s long-running strategy. As cited by France Info, the former prime minister is trying to establish himself as the natural candidate within the center-right space by presenting himself as more acceptable than his rivals to different voter groups.
The pollster also said Philippe has been building a presidential profile since leaving Matignon, while noting that his years alongside Emmanuel Macron no longer bring the same political advantage. In that reading, if the Horizons candidate declines in the polls, the broader centrist bloc declines with him, amid the impact of the current social crisis.
In Gabriel Attal’s camp, the move was poorly received, France Info reported. Bruno Retailleau’s allies, meanwhile, said a primary without Philippe would make little sense.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
