Alexandre Chauveau, edited by Manon Fossat 11:18 am, October 12, 2021

The president of Hauts-de-France assured Monday evening that he would participate in the LR congress which will designate the right-wing candidate for the presidential election, in the name of a "rally" which rules out the hypothesis of a double candidacy.

Xavier Bertrand has therefore given up going it alone and thus eliminates the risk of fracturing his camp.

DECRYPTION

Xavier Bertrand put an end to the suspense by assuring Monday that he would participate in the LR congress which will nominate the right-wing candidate for the presidential election, in the name of a "rally" which rules out the potentially deadly hypothesis of a double candidacy.

"I will participate in the congress" of December 4, he affirmed on TF1, because "it is the only way to have as quickly as possible a candidate of the right and the center".

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The president of Hauts-de-France had indeed the choice between two bad solutions, and he finally chose the less bad of the two.

Xavier Bertrand did not want to go it alone and risk appearing as the one who would have fractured his camp.

His entourage was divided on the decision to be made.

He consulted a lot and decided in conscience before explaining his choice to his relatives, gathered around 9:00 p.m. Monday evening by videoconference around their champion.

Turn more to LR activists

"We felt the pressure was off," said one of the participants.

As if Xavier Bertrand had relieved himself of a bulky weight by announcing his participation in the congress.

On the right, many congratulated themselves.

On the other hand, neither Valérie Pécresse nor Michel Barnier have officially reacted, even if in their entourage we welcome a salutary decision and unity.

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- Presidential: Xavier Bertrand announces that he will participate in the LR Congress on December 4

In Xavier Bertrand's camp, it is also ensured that the troops are more motivated than ever to set out to conquer a new campaign, to turn more towards LR militants.

Activists, many of whom are angry with him for having left the party in 2017. "He knows it", anticipates Jonas Haddad, one of his spokespersons, who intends to convince with an argument: Xavier Bertrand is, according to the polls, the most able to save the right.

And his team hope that the urge to win will be stronger than personal resentment.