Édouard Philippe proposes centre-right confederation as Gérald Darmanin endorses presidential bid

Tourcoing gathering and endorsement

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin hosted former prime minister Édouard Philippe on 30 August 2026 for his political rentrée in the botanical garden of Tourcoing, located in the Nord department. The gathering brought together between 600 and 1,000 attendees, including government ministers, senators, deputies, local elected officials, and activists from Darmanin's Populaires! party. Darmanin, who had officially endorsed Philippe in mid-August after stepping back from an Élysée bid to avoid division, described the Horizons president as the only figure capable of winning the presidential election and securing a parliamentary majority in the National Assembly. Comparing Philippe to a ship captain who would steer the camp safely to port, Darmanin offered to serve as his first mate while insisting that their political bloc must field only one candidate on the presidential ballot.

We cannot have multiple candidates in the first round. We must have only one candidate in the first round.

Proposal for a legislative confederation

Addressing the audience in Tourcoing, Philippe presented a strategy aimed at achieving political recomposition by uniting the right and the centre. He proposed creating either a new political party or a confederation of parties, which would designate single candidates in every parliamentary constituency under a common banner and an agreed majority contract to secure a legislative majority following the presidential election. Philippe stated that this collective organization would enable different political sensibilities to govern together after the presidential race.

It is not about remaking the UMP. It is about building the government contract, or the new party, or the new confederation of parties, which will allow all those who want to unite their forces in service of the country to govern together.

Policy convergence on security and migration

Philippe detailed the core principles of his proposed alliance, emphasizing commitment to the rule of law, the democratic model, European integration, a market economy, merit-based republican schooling, climate awareness, individual dignity, and national security. He argued that uniting around these values was necessary to prevent France from shifting toward either the left-wing La France Insoumise or Marine Le Pen's National Rally. In response to policy conditions set by Darmanin two weeks earlier, Philippe agreed on the need to restrict residence permits without imposing an outright moratorium, ensuring continued entry for foreign students and needed professionals such as doctors. He also endorsed giving expanded powers to mayors to aid police and the justice system, alongside revisions to social welfare inspired by Denmark without requiring constitutional reform.

Dialogue on pensions and coalition rivalry

The discussions at the botanical garden also covered social and economic policy, with Darmanin having urged greater attention to social frustrations. On pension reform, both figures affirmed the necessity of working longer while taking into account specific professions and life hardships. Darmanin had previously criticized proposals to raise the retirement age to 67, while Philippe promised that a fair and responsible pension reform plan would be unveiled soon. Philippe remarked that while policy polyphony exists within their alliance, the ultimate decisions rest with the leader. The consolidation effort takes place while Gabriel Attal, the secretary general of Renaissance, also contends for leadership within the presidential majority.