Xavier Bertrand is moving closer to an official candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. In an interview given to Figaro Published this Monday, the president of the Hauts-de-France region announced his intention to declare his candidacy before the new year. The former minister asserted that he will run independently, without being affiliated with any political party. "When I declare my candidacy, it will be as an independent candidate."he asserts. A position he claims while maintaining his ambition to unite right-wing and center-right voters.
A statement is expected at the end of the year.
Xavier Bertrand does not plan to officially announce his candidacy immediately. He intends to wait until the final months of 2026, a period during which, according to him, the 2027 presidential election will begin to fully dominate discussions among the French. He confirms that he will declare his candidacy. "At the end of the year, not before"The president of the Hauts-de-France region believes that the Christmas and New Year holidays will mark the true start of the campaign in the public eye, when families and groups of friends begin discussing who will be the next president of the Republic. This upcoming announcement will give official form to an already well-known ambition. Xavier Bertrand announced his intention to run in 2027 as early as February 2024. Since then, he has been making numerous trips and giving many speeches focused on the economic situation, the middle class, public services, and the role of local communities.
Project, funding and sponsorships already in place
Xavier Bertrand asserts that his campaign organization is already underway. The presidential platform, its financing, and the search for the 500 endorsements from elected officials required to participate in the election have reportedly begun to be structured. The former minister explains that he has learned from his 2022 presidential bid. He participated in the congress organized by Les Républicains to select their candidate but was eliminated in the first round, before Valérie Pécresse's victory. This time, Xavier Bertrand wants to avoid starting the political, financial, and administrative preparations for his candidacy too late. He also maintains that he is verifying that the proposals he intends to present align with the expectations of the French people before unveiling his full platform.
An independent candidate to unite the right and the center
Despite his intention to run as an independent candidate, Xavier Bertrand does not want to campaign in isolation. He aims to become the candidate capable of uniting the Republican right, the center, and a segment of moderate voters from the presidential majority. Several figures already occupy this political space, notably Édouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal, and Bruno Retailleau. Xavier Bertrand believes, however, that none of these candidacies will be able to last until the first round. According to him, opinion polls should determine which candidate has the best chance of qualifying and winning against the National Rally. He warns that the various contenders cannot risk permanently dividing their own camp. "There can be only one.", he says.
Facing the National Rally, Xavier Bertrand reminds everyone of his 2015 victory
Xavier Bertrand places his opposition to the National Rally among the cornerstones of his future candidacy. He regularly recalls his victory against Marine Le Pen During the 2015 regional elections in Hauts-de-France, the right-wing candidate benefited from the withdrawal of the Socialist list in the second round, preventing a National Front victory. He was subsequently re-elected in 2021 against Sébastien Chenu, the National Rally candidate. However, the president of Hauts-de-France refuses to limit his candidacy to a call to block the party of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella. He believes that a presidential victory must be based on a comprehensive government program and not solely on rejecting the National Rally.
Housing, middle classes and territorial power
Xavier Bertrand has not yet presented his detailed program, but several priorities have already been announced. Housing is expected to be a central focus, alongside advocacy for the middle class, support for people with disabilities, single-parent families, and culture. He also wants to strengthen the powers of local authorities. The president of the Hauts-de-France region criticizes the overly centralized organization of the state and believes that some decisions made in Paris should be delegated to the regions, departments, and municipalities. This approach is expected to form the basis of his "Republic of Territories," a project designed to give local elected officials greater autonomy in managing public policy.
A single five-year term before a single seven-year term
Xavier Bertrand also makes a commitment regarding the length of his potential presidency. If elected in 2027, he promises to serve only one five-year term. He would then propose to the French people, via referendum, replacing the renewable five-year term with a single seven-year term. The elected president would then serve a seven-year term with no possibility of immediate re-election. Finally, Xavier Bertrand rejects the idea that his candidacy could be used to negotiate an alliance or a position in a future government. He affirms that he is not seeking a ministerial post and assures that he is preparing his own candidacy until the 2027 presidential election.
