Bruno Retailleau's inner circle confirmed these points to franceinfo after a report by Le Figaro. Thus established are the sending of the letter, the dates of January 31 and February 7, the stated aim with regard to the National Rally and France Unbowed, and the call for a first working meeting of campaign directors.
Bruno Retailleau, president of Les Républicains, wrote on Tuesday, November 10, to right-wing and centrist candidates for the 2027 presidential election to propose organizing a primary. His inner circle told franceinfo, confirming a report by Le Figaro.
The proposal provides for a two-round vote set for January 31 and February 7. By sending these dates to right-wing and centrist candidates, Bruno Retailleau turns the idea of a primary into a precise timetable.
He thus intends to"prevent a brutal clash between the National Rally and France Unbowed."That is the political argument associated with the move, according to details reported by his inner circle to franceinfo. The primary is presented as a way to avoid that clash before the 2027 presidential election.
This initiative is part of a short sequence. Bruno Retailleau had already rallied on November 4 to the idea of organizing a primary. The letter sent on November 10, six days later, formalizes that choice and submits it to right-wing and centrist candidates for the 2027 presidential election.