Presidential election 2027: Bruno Retailleau refuses to step aside in favor of Édouard Philippe or Gabriel Attal

Bruno Retailleau is more committed than ever to his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. While visiting the Châlons-en-Champagne Fair, the leader of the Republicans claims to have been supported by several right-wing voters who threaten to vote for the National Rally if he were to withdraw.

The LR candidate believes that his withdrawal would not automatically benefit Édouard Philippe or Gabriel Attal. "For all those who think that if I step aside, other centrist candidates would benefit, I don't believe that," he declared, convinced that his supporters want "something other than season 3 of Macronism."

Retailleau wants to retain voters tempted by the National Rally

In the aisles of the fair, several supporters encountered by the candidate explained that they would turn to Marine Le Pen if Bruno Retailleau withdrew from the race. This threat of vote transfer is being used by the LR president to defend the usefulness of his candidacy, particularly among a conservative and rural electorate that his party has largely lost to the RN in recent years.

Polling at 6 to 12%, Bruno Retailleau now wants to accelerate his campaign and says he is ready to face a potential primary for the right and center. His entourage acknowledges that a "match within the match" is now taking place with Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal. The objective is clear: to break the frontrunner status still enjoyed by the president of Horizons and establish himself as the right-wing alternative to the center-right.