Laurent Wauquiez backs Édouard Philippe and urges Bruno Retailleau to quit

Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Les Républicains (LR) parliamentary group, warned fellow LR candidate Bruno Retailleau that he should “know when to withdraw” if his presidential bid fails to gain traction in the polls. At the same time, Wauquiez praised former prime minister Édouard Philippe, describing him as capable of “embodying order and seriousness” and a unifying figure for the right‑centre.

Wauquiez called for an alliance of three right‑and‑centre candidates – Philippe, Gabriel Attal and Retailleau – arguing that LR would not win alone and that a fragmented field could lead to a second‑round contest between the left‑wing LFI and the far‑right RN. He reiterated his support for an open primary to select a single right‑wing contender, while emphasizing the need for a project‑‑oriented campaign rather than one that merely opposes extremism.