Members Republicans will have to choose their presidential candidate in a congress vote in early December.
Five candidatures were validated by the party: those of Michel Barnier, Xavier Bertrand, Valérie Pécresse, Eric Ciotti and Philippe Juvin.
20 Minutes
looks at the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate.
Who will carry the flag of the right and the center for the presidential election?
The Republicans validated this Thursday the candidacies of five contenders * at the movement's congress, organized from December 1 to 4.
The approximately 100,000 members will therefore have the choice between former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, regional presidents Xavier Bertrand and Valérie Pécresse, deputy Eric Ciotti and mayor Philippe Juvin.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate?
We take stock.
Michel Barnier, 70, quiet strength
It is the favorite that we did not expect.
The former Brexit negotiator got into the race this summer without making too much noise.
"I want to be the president of the reconciliation of the French," he said.
Over the weeks, the former Savoyard elected official was able to convince.
Of the five candidates, it is he who obtains the most support from parliamentarians (about sixty) and from LR federation presidents (nearly 30).
His opponents recognize it: if the vote took place today, he would win the ballot.
Its strengths: experience and loyalty
.
His supporters praise his international and governmental experience, painting him as "French Joe Biden".
Above all, the former European commissioner is banking on his loyalty to the party, he who has - despite an "forgetting" of contribution in 2019 - never left LR, unlike his main competitors Valérie Pécresse and Xavier Bertrand.
Its weakness: polls
.
Michel Barnier is lagging behind in opinion polls (less than 10%), far from Xavier Bertrand - around 15% -, and still very far from qualifying in the second round.
Xavier Bertrand, 56, the unloved
Starting very early in the race for the Elysée, the president of Hauts-de-France has long been a favorite on the right. But his strategic alterations (his participation in Congress, his return to the party ...) and the emergence of Eric Zemmour did not allow him to kill the match in the polls. "I am in the position of the challenger," he says now. The former insurance agent claims to be the only one able to beat Emmanuel Macron next May.
Its strengths: its desire and its polls
.
Unlike Michel Barnier, Xavier Bertrand is given regularly in opinion polls just a few points from the second round of the presidential election, and the most likely to win then against Emmanuel Macron.
The prospect of a useful vote, like its tenacity and its fieldwork with members, could pay off at the beginning of December.
His weakness: the image of the "traitor".
Many activists accuse him of having left the ship in December 2017, against the backdrop of dissensions with the then president LR - and darling of the members - Laurent Wauquiez.
His solo strategy in recent months could also have left its mark.
Valérie Pécresse, 54, the strength of the project
The president of Ile-de-France is going through this campaign quietly. Neither favorite, nor never completely left behind in the polls. Since she declared her candidacy on July 22, Valérie Pécresse has embarked on a tour de France. "I have a furious desire to make the reforms that for ten years, we put in the closet," she repeats.
Its strengths: its seriousness and the support of sarkozysts
.
Enarque and senior official at the Council of State, Valérie Pécresse wishes to put "a project to put the country in order", developed in particular by the former campaign director of François Fillon, Patrick Stefanini.
"She is the only one who has a serious program, she is competent and tenacious", greets Brice Hortefeux.
This support from the very close to Nicolas Sarkozy, like the support from Senator Pierre Charon and Frédéric Péchenard, is never negligible on the right.
Its weak point: it does not print.
Between Michel Barnier and Xavier Bertrand, the Chiraquienne struggles to exist.
"Valérie does not like the buzz, nor unbuttoning to get out his guts," recognizes one of her supporters.
And was his departure from LR in 2019 digested by the members?
Eric Ciotti, 56, the bar on the right
The deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes declared himself a candidate at the end of August, to carry “clearly, strongly, without shame” ideas of “strong right” in the presidential race.
Eric Ciotti defends a firm line on security and immigration.
"I am the candidate for clarity, for the total rejection of macronism, no alliance or no bargaining is possible with this power", he assures, defending in particular the end of the right of the soil and "the inscription in the Constitution of the Christian origins ”of France.
Its strong point: its hard line
.
Faced with the emergence of Eric Zemmour, his very right-wing positioning could convince activists tempted by the candidacy of the former columnist of Cnews.
His weak point: his hard line.
This political position is far from achieving consensus within the movement.
His support for Eric Zemmour in the event of a duel against Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the presidential election had been widely criticized within LR.
Philippe Juvin, 57, the very media doctor
Unknown to the general public a few months ago, the mayor of La Garenne-Colombes was thrown into the spotlight during the health crisis.
Regular guest of the trays, the head of the emergency department of the Parisian hospital Georges-Pompidou did not fail to scratch the health policy of the government.
Launched in the race at the end of July, the former MEP wishes to be the “candidate for public services” and notably denounces the pauperization of the health system.
Its strong point: health topics
.
The candidate calls in particular for the end of bed closures and the “doubling” of the number of nurses, nursing assistants and doctors “in training in schools”.
Its weak point: its political weight
.
The resuscitator also qualified narrowly, submitting 271 sponsorships out of the 250 required.
* The candidate and entrepreneur Denis Payre, who has gathered only thirty of the 250 required sponsorships, announced that he would file an appeal with the party leadership.
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