Édouard Philippe rejects a right-and-centre presidential primary, calling it a 'primary of division'

Philippe's refusal on TF1

Édouard Philippe, the Horizons candidate and mayor of Le Havre, told TF1's 20 heures on Sunday, 1 November 2026 that he did not believe a primary for the right and centre would take place. He described it as a "primary of division and a primary of confusion", arguing that the principle of a primary is to stress differences between candidates rather than build common ground. He is the best placed of the right and centre candidates in the polls, though his standing has slipped in recent weeks.

Philippe said the contenders should take their responsibilities and settle the question in February. He suggested that the least well placed candidates would then have to withdraw, saying he was used to taking his own responsibilities.

Targets of the primary debate

Philippe's criticism was aimed at a proposal made on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 by Renaissance candidate Gabriel Attal for a "grand primary of democrats" designed to prevent a second round between La France insoumise and the Rassemblement national. Philippe said the proposal would bring together continuators of Macronism, naming Attal, alongside others reaching out to a union of the right, a reference to David Lisnard. Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes and a liberal right candidate, has recently gained ground in polls and is a serious rival to LR president Bruno Retailleau.

Centrist figures had attacked Lisnard over the weekend for not being clear enough in refusing an alliance with the Rassemblement national. Philippe defended himself again on Sunday, saying he would govern neither with the Macronists nor with the RN.

Other voices

LR mayor of Meaux Jean-François Copé told BFM Politique on Sunday that there would be no primary. He said the candidates disagreed about who should take part, and that Philippe was against it. Copé added that he had been in favour and suggested the parties would need to agree by January.

Modem group leader in the National Assembly Marc Fesneau, in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche published on Sunday, called for a primary running from social democrats to the republican right, excluding Lisnard. Aurore Bergé, the Renaissance minister, told Le Parisien that the parties should agree on the terms by the end of the year.

What comes next

The first round of the presidential election is set for 18 April 2027, according to 20 Minutes. Whether any joint primary goes ahead remains open, with Philippe and Copé doubtful and Attal, Fesneau and Bergé still pushing for different formats.