Behind the scenes, the right is already preparing for the presidential election of 2022. And if for the time being no natural candidate emerges, appetites are numerous.

Among the potential contenders for a nomination: Michel Barnier, the former chief negotiator of the EU for Brexit, who has increased the number of meetings in recent weeks.

Gérard Larcher, President of the Republicans of the Senate, gives his back-to-school press conference this Thursday.

Behind the scenes, the elected official is working on the tiebreaker system for 2022, which must replace the primary version 2016, if no natural candidate emerges on the right by then.

At this stage, there are many in the ranks of the party founded by Nicolas Sarkozy to think about the presidential election.

This is particularly the case of Michel Barnier, the former chief negotiator of the EU for Brexit who is active, and says he wants to be useful to his country.

"It tickles him, an elected official has fun, he will have to be reckoned with".

Michel Barnier takes the temperature for 2022: he sees people, and in particular those that the presidential "titillates" also, like Bruno Retailleau.

Xavier Bertrand, the president of the Hauts-de-France region also wants to meet him. 

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Looking for a Parisian HQ

On February 16, Michel Barnier will see all LR deputies after his Tuesday getaway to the senators where he spoke of Europe.

"It was very interesting, with substance, it is soothing in this crazy world," boasts a senator.

Another, less excited, retorts: "He's boring, like an old crooner who wants to rock".

In front of parliamentarians, Michel Barnier did not come forward, answering just "yes" to anyone who asked him if he would participate in the development of a project for LR.

Neither the time nor the place to say more. 

But Michel Barnier is also visiting offices in Paris, looking for a working pied-à-terre that will be operational in March.

The statutes of his micro-party are in the process of being deposited.

"And he does not do that to be a minister, insists a relative, he is past the age!"