Michel Barnier, Xavier Bertrand, Eric Ciotti, Valérie Pécresse and the outsider Philippe Juvin present themselves at this LR congress, the winner of which will be known on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., after a two-round ballot.

At noon Wednesday, participation reached 25.4%, according to the party.

Michel Barnier, Valérie Pécresse and Xavier Bertrand posted photos of them voting in the electronic ballot on social networks.

The first round will end at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.

The second between the two finalists will take place from Friday 8:00 a.m. to Saturday 2:00 p.m.

The majority of federations also have a physical voting point in support.

A press conference will follow each time.

At the permanence of Pegomas (Alpes-Maritimes), several members had come to vote on Wednesday morning, like Paul Zotier who "still does not have Internet" at home.

"It is true that there was not much difference" between the candidates, "it was very difficult, I thought about it yesterday and then all night, this (Wednesday) morning I made the decision of that that I think I'm the best, "Henri Formica told AFP.

On the practical side, the party has done everything to secure the process, entrusted to the Neovote platform: "Each voter must provide a mobile number, an email address and a postal address to be able to vote", according to LR president Christian Jacob.

The vote promises to be very open, each of the four "big" candidates being able to claim the second round, especially as the approach of the congress has attracted new members.

In total, 140,000 people will be able to vote, a far cry from the approximately 4 million voters in 2016, but it was then an open primary where everyone, for 2 euros and a profession of faith, could vote.

Philippe Juvin and Xavier Bertrand, during the debate between LR's presidential candidates, in Paris on November 30, 2021 JULIEN DE ROSA AFP

Before the end of the official campaign, Tuesday evening, the candidates had a last opportunity to expose their programs during a televised debate and to try to forget the irruption of Eric Zemmour in the campaign.

"He does not have the stature to bring together the French," said Xavier Bertrand, while Michel Barnier felt that "we need seriousness, dignity, respect".

Valérie Pécresse mocked the "feverishness" of the far-right polemicist, which she opposes to a right "of return".

Distanced by Macron and the far right

If this candidacy of Eric Zemmour is not a surprise, the date seems to have been chosen on purpose to parasitize the LR ballot, especially as the identity candidate will hold a meeting on Sunday at the Zenith, the day after the results of the congress.

LR must also convince while part of his electorate could be tempted by macronia: Wednesday, the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi, who slammed the party door in May, joined Horizons, the movement of the former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (also ex-LR).

It is "the only organization" which can "legitimately claim the legacy of the RPR, the UMP and the Republicans", explained Mr. Estrosi.

LR remains behind in the polls by Emmanuel Macron and the far right, but hopes that a dynamic will kick in once his candidate is appointed.

Journalists Léa Salamé (l) and Laurent Guimier during the debate between the LR candidates for the presidential nomination of 2022, in Paris on November 30, 2021 JULIEN DE ROSA AFP

With the approach of the poll, public meetings, interviews and announcements of support have multiplied, each throwing its last strength into the battle to try to convince the undecided, each playing its card: rallying for Xavier Bertrand, competence for Valérie Pécresse , serious for Michel Barnier, rupture for Eric Ciotti ...

The fourth and final debate was also an opportunity to talk about their agenda beyond the immigration and insecurity that dominated the campaign.

No "insurmountable" differences

Michel Barnier thus advocated a "great family policy", Xavier Bertrand housing assistance for caregivers in tense areas, Valérie Pécresse the recruitment of 25,000 carers, and Philippe Juvin the obligation to spend a year in medical deserts.

"There may be differences between us but nothing is insurmountable," said Michel Barnier, who however criticized several proposals from Valérie Pécresse.

The candidates for the LR nomination for the presidential election Philippe Juvin, Xavier Bertrand, Valérie Pécresse, Michel Barnier and Eric Ciotti, in Paris on November 30, 2021 JULIEN DE ROSA AFP

Candidates are kept silent until the results are announced on Thursday.

They will have to withdraw again Thursday at 11:59 p.m., until the name of the winner is revealed on Saturday.

© 2021 AFP