Alexandre Chauveau 1:48 p.m., October 27, 2021, modified at 1:50 p.m., October 27, 2021
While Xavier Bertrand's team submits 500 sponsorships for the Congress of Republicans this Wednesday at LR's headquarters, Michel Barnier is also claiming more than 500 signatures.
Republicans are only asking for 250, which is half of what is needed for the presidential election.
It is a way of weighing and showing its power to the militants.
All candidates for the Republican Congress for the 2022 presidential election must collect 250 sponsorships by November 2 to be able to participate in the competition.
After Valérie Pécresse on October 19, Xavier Bertrand submits his family this Wednesday, numbering 500, more than double the number required.
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"Not a shallot race"
While those of Michel Barnier are long in coming, the candidate tells Europe 1 on Wednesday that he too has more than 500 sponsorships, "mainly LR elected officials, in about 70 departments".
"We will not embark on a shallot race to find out who has the most. We will drop them off in due course," said his entourage.
In the meantime, the former European commissioner is increasing the number of trips, and should garner the public support of a dozen new LR parliamentarians, which would bring his total support to 62. The party congress will be held on December 4.