Tuesday afternoon, a meeting will bring together several senior Republican officials and four of the candidates likely to wear the party colors in 2022, with the exception of Xavier Bertrand.
Already a presidential candidate, the president of the Hauts-de-France region still refuses to submit to a possible primary.
LR is still looking for a champion for 2022. Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 pm, in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, the President of the Republicans Christian Jacob, the head of the Senate Gérard Larcher and Jean Leonetti, the "Primary Mr." of the right must discuss with the possible right-wing presidential candidates, in particular to try to agree on the method of appointment.
And above all to ensure that there is only one right-wing presidential candidate.
The first objective of this meeting is therefore to avoid war at all costs.
Moreover, the place is not the seat of the party, but a neutral place, conducive to talks.
"To agree without being divided on the method"
In front of the feathered hats of the Republicans, the potential candidates, in any case, those who accepted the invitation: Bruno Retailleau, Michel Barnier, the former Brexit negotiator, Valérie Pécresse, who is no longer a member of the Republicans as well. than Laurent Wauquiez, the president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
"We have to come to an agreement without being divided on the method, so that there is only one candidate. And also on the merits: the economy, the rule of law, immigration ", explains Michel Barnier.
>>
Find the morning show of the day in replay and podcast here
A special meeting with Xavier Bertrand
But there is a big absentee: Xavier Bertrand.
Party well before the others, the president of Hauts de France, who is no longer a member of the Republicans assumes: "I have always said that I will not participate in the primary, I am a presidential candidate! I will not change ! ".
But the one who is best placed for the moment in the polls, is also convinced that only the gathering of all - behind him if possible - will allow the victory of the right and the center in 2022.
And as he does nothing like everyone else, Xavier Bertrand will meet in ten days Jean Leonetti, Gérald Larcher and Christian Jacob, that is to say the organizers of today's meeting at which he did not have wanted to come, to explain to them how he intends to lead the rally.