François Bayrou proposes centrist primary timetable ahead of 2027 French election

The primary proposal

At the MoDem party conference in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in the Vaucluse department on 20 September 2026, party president François Bayrou presented a proposal to organise a primary for what he termed the central river. The MoDem leader argued that moderate forces spanning from social democrats to Gaullists must unite behind a single banner for the 2027 presidential election. Bayrou warned that dividing the moderate vote in the first round would result in a second round between Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, describing such an outcome as a lethal threat to France.

“If we are not together, these forces that opposed each other for a long time, from social democrats to Gaullists, including of course all those committed to the centre, there is no chance that we will win.”

Rules and timetable for selection

Bayrou detailed specific conditions to determine a single candidate. Prospective contenders would face a qualifying filter requiring the sponsorship of ten parliamentarians before the end of October. The proposal allocates two months through late December for televised debates and campaign meetings between the candidates. The first round of voting would occur online around 15 January, followed fifteen days later by a second round. This schedule aims to produce an agreed candidate by early February to prevent political fragmentation.

Direct appeals to rival figures

During his closing address, Bayrou directed specific remarks toward former prime ministers Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal. Philippe has repeatedly rejected the concept of a primary, while Attal has not formally ruled it out. Bayrou, who confirmed that he will not personally run in the presidential race, argued that a primary victory would confer greater authority on whoever represents the moderate bloc. He challenged both leaders to subject their candidacies to French voters rather than avoiding competition.

“What are you afraid of? Where is the problem? You will be chosen by the French people. And you will have additional legitimacy.”

Party positioning and political pushback

MoDem is evaluating its future after ten years in government alongside Emmanuel Macron, following the alliance established in 2017. Party officials emphasized the goal of preparing an orderly succession at the end of Macron's second term. Over the weekend, Bayrou invited several external political figures to the conference, including former centre-left prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve, former minister Jean-Louis Borloo, and Xavier Bertrand, while also naming former European commissioner Thierry Breton as a potential contender.

Despite Bayrou's appeal, none of the invited guests endorsed the primary mechanism. Xavier Bertrand, the president of the Hauts-de-France regional council who intends to pursue his own presidential bid, voiced opposition to the contest. Resistance also came from Hervé Marseille, the leader of centrist senators in the French Senate. Marseille argued that inter-party debates were inappropriate during parliamentary budget negotiations, high fuel prices, and international tensions.

“I do not believe, and this is a difference I may have with François, in this run-off mechanism. It is not the time to be insular and talk about our small problems.”