Aurore Bergé promotes primary election idea

Aurore Bergé, France’s minister delegate for gender equality and the fight against discrimination, has again pushed for a primary election among center and right-wing parties six months before the presidential election. She has supported the idea for 18 months and wants to bring together several smaller parties and factions to define the conditions for participation.

Bergé cites growing support for primary

Bergé noted that “increasingly more voices are calling for it” and emphasized the need to establish the details of a primary “by the end of the year.” She mentioned that various groups, including Renaissance, Modem, Horizons, UDI, the Radical Party, Les Républicains (LR), and New Energy, could be involved in the process.

Gabriel Attal supports primary but trails in polls

On Wednesday, October 28, Gabriel Attal, who is currently trailing in the polls, advocated for a “large primary for the democrats” during an appearance on TF1’s evening news. However, Edouard Philippe, the Horizons candidate, and Bruno Retailleau, the LR candidate, are opposed to the idea, according to recent polls.

Some leaders back primary, others oppose

Michel Barnier, Gérard Larcher, Bruno Le Maire, and Hervé Morin support a primary, while Edouard Philippe and Bruno Retailleau are against it. Bergé emphasized that many people are waiting for the parties to agree on a single candidacy and are frustrated by the lack of progress.

Bergé declines to comment on her own participation

When asked if she would participate in the primary, Bergé did not comment, stating that it was necessary first for the primary “to exist.” She recalled that 18 months ago, the Renaissance committees “voted almost unanimously against the primary,” showing the idea has faced resistance in the past.