Gabriel Attal pushes for centrist-right alliance

Gabriel Attal, a candidate from the Renaissance party, continues to advocate for a centrist and right-wing alliance in the race for the Élysée. He believes this approach is necessary to avoid a potential second-round runoff between far-left and far-right candidates in the presidential election.

Édouard Philippe resists primary process

Despite being distanced in the polls by Édouard Philippe, the Renaissance presidential candidate emphasized on Monday that a primary was "inevitable," even though the mayor of Le Havre has refused to participate in the process. Philippe wants to wait until February before committing to any primary.

Philippe aims to avoid Le Pen-Mélenchon runoff

Édouard Philippe, who wants to wait until February, stated on TF1 that it might take some time for people to realize what is happening in the country and in French politics, but he believes the primary will take place and that it is inevitable. He aimed to avoid a second round between Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Philippe opposes 'primary of division'

Opposed to this method of selection for months, Édouard Philippe again rejected Sunday "a primary of division" and "confusion," a few days after the proposal made by his rival Gabriel Attal. The mayor of Le Havre, however, invited his rivals to take their "responsibilities" in February, hinting that he would do so himself.

Attal frames division as multi-candidate first round

Gabriel Attal responded, "Division is not the primary. Division is arriving at five candidates in the first round of the presidential election." He added, "The catastrophe that would be a second round between Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen is much more serious than differences that may exist between me and other candidates."

Lisnard and Bayrou support centrist-right primary

David Lisnard supports the primary. According to him, "the withdrawals and backroom negotiations of withdrawals are what disgust the French." When a candidate is tested alone in the polls immediately, "he is not even at the second round, whether it is Édouard Philippe or me," he insisted. The leader of the Modem François Bayrou and the president of the association of French mayors David Lisnard also call for the organization of a centrist and right-wing primary.

LR candidate Bruno Retailleau sets conditions

The LR candidate Bruno Retailleau is not opposed to it but sets conditions on the definition of the perimeter. He wants to ensure the primary includes only candidates who align with the broader right-wing coalition and share common policy goals.