Bruno Retailleau has won a decisive victory to lead the centre-right Les Républicains, signalling a revival for the party and positions him as a key figure to watch ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau emerged as the undisputed leader of Les Républicains (LR) on Sunday, after securing a landslide victory in the party’s internal election with over 74 percent of the vote.
The win, over his rival Laurent Wauquiez, not only solidifies his control over the party but also propels him to the forefront of potential right-wing candidates for the 2027 French presidential election.
Retailleau’s triumph was comprehensive, with more than 120,000 party members casting their votes – an 80 percent turnout that signals renewed interest and momentum within a party that was on political life support just a year ago.
Posting on X, Retailleau thanked party members for voting for "the return of a proud and sincere right-wing".
Since taking up the post of Interior Minister in September 2024, the 64-year-old has breathed new life into the centre-right.
His message of unity and firm right-wing values clearly resonated with members hungry for direction and purpose.
Annie Genevard, the party’s secretary general, struck a hopeful tone after the results were announced: “Unity is more necessary than ever, a guarantee of our credibility and the effectiveness of our action in the service of France”.
The call for cohesion comes after years of infighting that have plagued the right, weakening its impact on national politics.
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Retailleau’s defeated opponent, Laurent Wauquiez, conceded gracefully, warning against the “poison of division” that has often splintered the right.
Yet he remained firm on distancing the party from Macronism, insisting the right must remain a distinctive force of change, not one blurred into the political centre.
Retailleau’s success was backed by key party figures, including Senate President Gérard Larcher, Xavier Bertrand, and former presidential contender Valérie Pécresse.
This broad support cements his role as the dominant figure on the right – a fact not lost on political observers eyeing the 2027 presidential race.
Although speculation is growing, Retailleau insists he’s not abandoning his ministerial duties. “I think that if I am elected ... the president of LR will strengthen the minister. And conversely, having this visibility will give strength to LR,” he remarked confidently.
His dual roles, he argues, are mutually reinforcing, enabling him to advance the party’s agenda from within the government while also shaping its future.
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Immigration and national identity
Retailleau’s campaign – firmly focused on immigration and national identity – set a resolute tone.
He has championed tougher naturalisation rules and challenged Algeria to accept repatriations – positions that helped energise the party’s base.
However, challenges remain. The wounds from former president Éric Ciotti’s flirtation with the far-right RN are still fresh, and the relationship between Retailleau and Wauquiez – now weakened but still influential – must be carefully managed.
And not everyone in LR agrees on how their next presidential candidate should be selected, with some calling for a broad open primary stretching from Renaissance to Les Républicains.
