Bruno Retailleau Announces His Candidacy for the Presidency of the Republicans

With two years to go until the 2027 presidential election, the race for the presidency of the Republicans (LR) is intensifying. Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, has officially declared his candidacy in a letter addressed to the party’s members, revealed on Wednesday, February 12. This announcement marks a strategic turning point for the right, as the position has been vacant since the departure of Éric Ciotti.

A Strategic Choice in a Context of Rivalry

Bruno Retailleau, having gained momentum since his appointment as Minister of the Interior, asserts that he wants to “do for [his] party what [he] does at the head of [his] ministry: speak honestly and act quickly.” His decision comes just before a crucial political bureau meeting where the date for the congress to elect the future president of LR will be set. Among his potential opponents is Laurent Wauquiez, who also hopes to seek the party leadership in anticipation of the 2027 presidential election.

The Priorities of a Program Focused on Firmness

In his letter, Bruno Retailleau outlines the main points of his program: combating “the laxity that kills,” opposing “the welfare that degrades,” and defending “the order that protects.” He celebrates the recent electoral successes of the right in municipal and partial legislative elections, believing that “the right is once again being heard” thanks to “measures of firmness” that resonate more and more with the public.

An Internal Climate of Tension

Despite his stated intention to unite, his candidacy reignites tensions within the party. Laurent Wauquiez had warned about the risk of a “leadership war,” recalling a tacit agreement in which Retailleau was to represent the right in the government while he himself would focus on rebuilding the party. “If you break this agreement, you will bear the responsibility of starting a devastating leadership war,” he reportedly warned in a private exchange.

Retailleau denies any divisive ambitions: “I am not a candidate against anyone. I am a candidate to defend our convictions and make our ideas win,” he says, while refusing to participate in public debates with his competitors to avoid internal controversies.

A Favorable Dynamic According to Polls

A recent poll conducted by OpinionWay places Bruno Retailleau ahead in the voting intentions for the presidency of LR, with 24% support, followed by Xavier Bertrand (21%), Valérie Pécresse (15%), and Laurent Wauquiez (15%). This dynamic contrasts with his defeat in the 2022 congress against Éric Ciotti.

It remains to be seen whether this lead will hold as he faces the challenges of a campaign that promises to be intense and decisive for the future of the French right.