Presidential in France: Valérie Pécresse displays the reunion with Laurent Wauquiez

The right-wing presidential candidate, Valérie Pécresse, with Laurent Wauquiez, January 21, 2022, in Puy-en-Velay.

AFP - JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK

Text by: Lucile Gimberg Follow

2 mins

Since her nomination in the primary as the presidential candidate for the right, Valérie Pécresse has skilfully organized the gathering of her political family, traveling with each of the tenors of the party to their strongholds.

This Friday, January 21, she was finally in Haute-Loire, on the lands of Laurent Wauquiez, the influential boss of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region and former leader of the LR party.

Sworn enemies a few years ago, they orchestrated their reunion. 

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With our special correspondent in Puy-en-Velay, 

A “

”.

This is what Laurent Wauquiez promised, in front of the cameras, to Valérie Pécresse.

Since his appointment in December as the right-wing presidential candidate, they had seen each other behind closed doors and exchanged courtesies through the media.

This time it is the public staging of their reconciliation.

We will win together.

Valérie Pecresse in the campaign with Laurent Wauquiez

Lucile Gimberg

Visit a nursing home to talk about rurality, then the cathedral of Puy-en-Velay, chosen as a symbol of the Christian roots of France, that's it for the program.

Valérie Pécresse and Laurent Wauquiez, however, had a fierce aversion to each other in recent years.

Ensuring the support of the most right-wing voters

In 2019, the president of the Ile-de-France region left the party he led, denouncing a “

” and “

” formation.

She then represents a right that wants to be moderate, liberal and European while he has become the spearhead of a hard, identity and populist right.

But here reason prevails over feelings.

Valérie Pécresse must ensure the support of the most right-wing voters of LR, tempted by Éric Zemmour and with whom Laurent Wauquiez is popular.

She has also righted her speech since primary school.

As for the boss of the Rhône-Alpes region, he cannot appear as a divider.

He who thinks of the next blow: taking back the party or outright the presidential election of 2027.

►Also read: French presidential election: how Valérie Pécresse sees her campaign in the middle of Covid

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