Édouard Philippe rejects centre-right primary proposed by Gabriel Attal

Édouard Philippe, the former prime minister and declared presidential hopeful, told reporters on Sunday that he will not take part in a centre‑right primary that his rival Gabriel Attal suggested last week. The comment came at a press conference in Paris, where Philippe said his campaign will focus on building a national platform rather than competing in an internal vote. Attal, the current interior minister, had floated the idea as a way to unite the fragmented right ahead of the 2027 French presidential election.

The primary proposal reflects growing anxiety among moderate conservatives that a divided field could hand the election to either Marine Le Pen’s far‑right bloc or Jean‑Luc Mélenchon’s leftist coalition. Since President Emmanuel Macron’s second term ends in 2027, the centre‑right has struggled to present a single, compelling alternative. The Republicans have been losing ground to newer movements, and several high‑profile figures – including former finance minister Bruno Le Maire and mayoral heavyweight Anne‑Claire Lafont – have hinted at possible runs. Attal’s call for a primary was meant to force the various factions into a single ticket, mirroring the successful primaries that have shaped French politics in the past decade.

Philippe’s refusal was met with mixed reactions. Party insiders said his decision could weaken any attempt to rally a unified front, while others argued that his independent campaign might attract voters tired of party machinations. Polls this month show the centre‑right hovering around 12 percent, far behind the far‑right’s 20 percent and the left’s 18 percent. Attal has not ruled out proceeding with a primary that includes other candidates, and his office said discussions with party leaders are ongoing. The next few weeks will see negotiations over whether a single candidate can emerge, or if the right will head to the ballot split, a scenario that could reshape the final weeks of the presidential race.