Fillon supports Retailleau's candidacy

François Fillon, former French prime minister, has publicly endorsed Bruno Retailleau, the leader of the right-wing party Les Républicains, for the upcoming presidential election. Fillon praised Retailleau as the only credible right-wing candidate who has remained steadfast in his beliefs and can unite the right-wing bloc.

Fillon's rare public appearance

Fillon made this statement during a speech at the opening of the Oser la France universities, a movement led by Julien Aubert, a vice president of Les Républicains. This marks a rare public appearance for Fillon, who has been relatively quiet since his defeat in the 2017 presidential election.

Fillon's consistent support for LR candidates

Despite his limited public presence, Fillon has consistently supported the candidates chosen by Les Républicains. In 2022, he backed Valérie Pécresse, then the party's candidate, calling her the only viable option for a political shift.

Fillon warns of national decline

In his speech, Fillon described France as "threatened by a historic decline" and Europe as hiding behind "martial statements" from its leaders. He emphasized the need for leaders who can challenge the political elite and dismantle the barriers they have created.

Fillon sees Retailleau as an anti-Macron

Fillon previously endorsed Retailleau in an interview with Le Figaro in May 2025, calling him an "anti-Macron." This support comes at a challenging time for Retailleau, as recent polls show his rival, David Lisnard, gaining ground with 6% of the voting intentions.