Bruno Retailleau, the candidate for Les Républicains in the upcoming French presidential election, rejected the idea of forming a right-wing and center alliance for the 2027 election during an interview on Wednesday, September 16, with the news program "8h30 franceinfo." He argued that his differences with Édouard Philippe, a former prime minister and current political figure, are not just a matter of degree but of fundamental nature. Retailleau questioned whether the people who support him would also support Philippe, suggesting a divergence in political vision and voter base. Retailleau criticized the current political system, stating that those closely associated with President Emmanuel Macron are responsible for the country's record, or situation, and recalled his experience as a minister during a period of cohabitation under Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Cohabitation in French politics refers to a situation where the president and prime minister belong to different political parties, often leading to a more complex governance structure. Retailleau emphasized his desire to allow the French people the final say in matters of law, particularly if the Constitutional Council censors parliamentary texts. This idea contrasts with Édouard Philippe's proposal, which suggests the use of a committee of legal experts to review such texts. Retailleau criticized Philippe's approach as being typical of the high administration and argued that allowing the people the final word would prevent certain individuals from manipulating the state of law for ideological purposes. Retailleau described the current government of judges—those who interpret and apply laws—as a confusion of powers, claiming that some judges are altering the meaning of texts and taking on the role of legislators. He declared that France is in a time of great rupture and promised to push forward with his proposals, aiming for a clear and decisive break from the current political landscape. Retailleau plans to position himself between the central bloc, which he sees as carrying remnants of Macron's double five-year term, and the more radical figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen.